tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18018091212509217492017-12-13T17:52:53.740-06:00TinSteel GarageMuttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-2350878445830306512017-12-13T17:21:00.004-06:002017-12-13T17:23:30.561-06:00The Unfuckening- "Or, I Drag My Broken Ass Out Into The Garage After 3 Months Of Sitting On My Ass."<br /><h2>This Blows...</h2><div>"Recuperating", that is.&nbsp; For the last three months I've been sitting on my ass waiting for my broken body to heal up from my recent&nbsp;<a href="http://falconwerx.blogspot.com/2017/10/yeah-but-you-should-see-other-guy_29.html" target="_blank">accident</a>.&nbsp; I've watched TV, surfed the Internet, researched car projects and even built model kits.&nbsp; Bored, does not even begin to describe my mental state.</div><div><br /></div><div>&nbsp; My surgeon gave me the green light to start hobbling around on both legs without any support for the broken ankle and I've been making pretty good progress.&nbsp; Until I was told I needed another surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in my left shoulder and I was looking at possibly another 3 months of downtime.</div><h4>"Fanfuckingtastic"</h4><div>So, 5 days after my surgery, I decided to head out to the garage and at least look over the 98 Talon I picked up before the accident and see what I've set myself up for.&nbsp; I mean I can't "work" on it, but what harm is there in looking it over.</div><div><br /></div><h2>Ran When Parked</h2><div>With any used car purchase, there's a point where you look everything over, see what you've got to work with and devise a plan to address any issues that may arise.&nbsp; Over the years, I've come to call this process <b>"Unfuckening The Car"</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>How much of this process involves, wailing, tearing of hair, and the gnashing of teeth generally depends on whether an informed decision was made while purchasing the vehicle in question.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since this was a 98 Talon AWD and the last year it was made, and knowing "I've always wanted one", I didn't have a lot of hope in that regard.</div><div><br /></div><h2>I Hate Being Right</h2><div><b><i>Yeah, it's a basket case.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The rear of the lower rocker panels on both sides, show signs of rust, along with the underside of the car.</div><div><br /></div><div>&nbsp;For some reason the wiper cowl and wiper arms were removed and were chilling in the hatch area.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>&nbsp;I found a pair of aftermarket gauges attached to the A-Pillar pod with wood screws that had wiring twisted together with electrical tape.&nbsp; I suppose I should be glad they at least used electrical tape.</div><div><br /></div><div>The stereo wiring has the aftermarket radio wiring harness butt spliced in place of the factory wiring plugs.</div><div><br /></div><div>The interior is missing bits and pieces everywhere, and it looks like he enjoyed screwing random things into the various trim pieces.&nbsp; Luckily, it has the Gray/Black ombo dash and interior in the car with power leather seats.&nbsp; <b>*SCORE!*</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The carpet on the passenger side of the car has been removed and there is a huge oil slick inside the car on that side.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Driver's Side door appears to be misaligned, and the door panel needs to be reinstalled.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's a virtual rats nest of wiring and poor choices that will need to be sorted out before I even think of applying power or hooking a battery back up to the car.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both taillights, the center section and some other lenses were tinted at some point and look like sweaty swamp ass.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>The top of the hatch near the roof is dented for some reason.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fucking rust! Did I mention that?</div><div><br /></div><div>I haven't even looked at the engine bay yet, becuase I don't have bolts for the hood and I can't hold the hood up with just one hand.&nbsp; The hood prop is missing too.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>&nbsp;Someone, just shoot me now.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><h2>I Don't Care</h2>Like I said, I've always wanted one of these and I have no problem taking my time trying to get this thing looking and driving good again.&nbsp; To make things easier, I'm pretty sure I'll need to find a parts car so I can source the various interior, engine bay and body bits to restore the interior and shell.<br /><br />Well, I'm always talkign about how much I love working on basket case cars. Time to prove it.<br /><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot....</b>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-45381924072996989152017-10-29T22:13:00.001-05:002017-12-13T16:38:25.813-06:00Yeah, But You Should See The Other Guy<h3>I Wish I Wasn't Typing This..</h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<b>&nbsp;</b></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b>The "Helmet" Is Dead.</b></h3><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CSj9h2SXTbo/WfZsH1i_qhI/AAAAAAAAAX8/pOxvf65SAq0A0LIRTKB0E_ee9_cZlMPHgCLcBGAs/s1600/originalstone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="640" height="314" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CSj9h2SXTbo/WfZsH1i_qhI/AAAAAAAAAX8/pOxvf65SAq0A0LIRTKB0E_ee9_cZlMPHgCLcBGAs/s320/originalstone.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><br /><h3>&nbsp; <b>Well....That Happened...</b></h3>Nope, not a joke.&nbsp; My faithful 2005 VW Golf TDI is dead.<br />Bier Cans.<br />Scrap Metal.<br />Finito.<br />Sayonara.<br />Peace Out, I'm Done. <br />DEAD.<br /><br />I got into a car accident on the way home from work.&nbsp; Someone crossed into my lane and hit me head on at full speed.<br /><b> </b><br /><h3><b>I Should Be Dead</b></h3><br />Both vehicles were traveling at roadway speed when the vehicles collided.&nbsp; My Golf was struck head on by the mid sized sedan (details of other vehicle withheld) at full speed.<br /><br />After the impact, I was initially conscious but trapped in the vehicle. I was later told I lost consciousness at some point.&nbsp; It took EMS personnel approximately 10 minutes to extract me from my car.<br /><br /><h3>Pity Party, Party Of One </h3>The last two months have been filled with stress, drama, surgeries, physical therapy, hospital stays and more doctor visits than I care to remember.<br /><br /><br />I have subjected my family and girlfriend to stress, drama and my personal bullshit and issues that have arisen from this accident.&nbsp; I've suffered from physical pain, mood swings, depression, memory loss and lingering, unresolved anger.&nbsp; Unfortunately the people I love, have been the recipients of my anger and frustration at times.<br /><b><br /></b><b>For this, I sincerely apologize.</b><br /><br />My family and especially my girlfriend have gone above and beyond to take care of and help me get through this.&nbsp; I have no way I can possibly articulate or ever possibly express just how much this means to me.<br /><br />The accident has left me in a very dark place emotionally, that I'm still dealing with.&nbsp; I'm not sure how I would have made it this far without her support.&nbsp; <br /><br /><i><b>"Thank You Weezie.&nbsp; I'm Sorry For Being A Whiny Jackass Sometimes."</b></i> <br /><br />According to my doctors, I <b>SHOULD</b> recover from this mostly, with some lingering effects.&nbsp; My range of motion in the affected joints and limbs will suffer from slightly degraded range of motion, dexterity and strength.&nbsp; I will have lingering pain from the surgeries used to repair the accident damage. Most of this will be mitigated with Physical Therapy and time as my body heals, but I will have reminders of the accident for the rest of my life.&nbsp; My finances will be damaged and several things I had planned to do will be placed on hold because, I now have medical bills to contend with until things with the other driver are settled.<br /><br />However as my girlfriend has reminded me numerous times...<b>"At least you're alive."</b><br /><br />She's right.&nbsp; I broke almost 3/4's of my body in the accident, and not only am I alive, I'm not permanently crippled or missing any limbs.&nbsp; In the coming months of recovery and physical therapy, I'll try to remember that.<br /><br />I also just wanted to thank Volkswagen for engineering the Mk4 Golf.&nbsp; The design of the vehicle ensured I survived what could have been a&nbsp; far more serious accident.&nbsp; I want another Golf or Jetta, but my Girlfriend thinks I might be pushing my luck considering how easily this could have gone much, much worse for me.<br /><br />I'm inclined to agree.<br /><br />She still hasn't showed me the pics she took after I asked her to clear my car out at the tow lot.&nbsp; She says it's pretty bad and probably not a good idea to see it until I recover a bit more.&nbsp; I'm told it looks like the front end of the car has been bitten off, while the rest?&nbsp; Well, it looks like a car.<br /><br />I'm just pissed because now I have to find something to replace it.&nbsp; Hopefully I can find something as cool looking and fuel efficient as the Golf.<br /><br />So....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>R.I.P. 2005 Volkswagen Golf TDI "The Helmet"</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>You Saved My Life.&nbsp; Thank You. </b></i></div><b> </b><br /><br /><h3>Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch</h3>As for the guy who hit me?&nbsp; Destroyed my super cool Diesel Daily?&nbsp; Caused me and my loved ones worry, pain and unneeded stress?&nbsp; Derailed my finances, health, career and several long range life plans?<br /><br />I wish the other guy no real ill will at all, but I do wish we had never met.&nbsp; I've been told you're not supposed to speak ill of other people, even if they've wronged you so I'll just say this to the other guy:<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;">"Nice try Cupcake.&nbsp; I'm still here."</h3><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot.......</b></i> </div>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-74892992716373697212017-10-29T22:07:00.000-05:002017-11-07T11:56:25.156-06:00Wheels, Gauges, Oh My....<h3>It's About Time...</h3>&nbsp;As I've mentioned <a href="http://falconwerx.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-tdi-gets-little-love.html" target="_blank">before</a> , the "Helmet" gets no love.&nbsp; My previous attempt to show it some love resulted in a road trip to Kansas City to buy some wheels that didn't actually fit.<br /><br /><h3>Wait, What?</h3>Yup.&nbsp; It turns out the Borbet Type C wheels I drove 4 hours for and got such a "great deal" on?<br /><br />Yeah, they don't freaking fit my car.<br /><br />Turns out the guy didn't know what he had and either intentionally or accidentally misrepresented the wheels in his Craigslist ad.<br /><br />The wheels were for a car with a 5x120 bolt pattern, and not for a 5x100.&nbsp; Great for a older BMW, but not for a Mk4 Volkswagen.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJPQopuRxis/WfaFs-u-XQI/AAAAAAAAAYM/JnkMtAjvAIAyRCUQURZEHANrFnC261T0QCLcBGAs/s1600/wellshit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1280" height="256" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJPQopuRxis/WfaFs-u-XQI/AAAAAAAAAYM/JnkMtAjvAIAyRCUQURZEHANrFnC261T0QCLcBGAs/s320/wellshit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is partially on me, as I never bothered to validate the bolt pattern.<br /><br />You know,&nbsp; before I had one of the wheels repaired, bought new tires and took them to the tire shop to have them mounted.<br /><br />&nbsp;You know, before I did all that and looked like a huge jackass.<br /><br /><b>*SIGH*</b><br /><br /><h3><b>Craigslist Crawl, Part Deux</b></h3>So, I still wanted to make the Golf look better, so back to Craigslist I went for a deal on some nice wheels to polish my turd.<br /><b> </b><br /><b></b>Found a set of Black 17x7 in Konig "Day Lite" wheels in Tulsa, with tires installed for a decent price.&nbsp; Neat!&nbsp; Off to Tulsa!<br /><br />Managed to snag the wheels and tires and also verified offset and bolt pattern before I loaded them into the Raider for the trip home. Check these out.&nbsp; They look great and are supposed to be pretty light.&nbsp; A great addition to the TDI.<br /><br />I hope these improve the looks of the car without hurting the fuel economy too much.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5IzhP1QVwk/WfaKaZHZX4I/AAAAAAAAAYs/WFtdi8uTRuUcYHJnfCH-33puRziJA2yNQCLcBGAs/s1600/20170627_122148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5IzhP1QVwk/WfaKaZHZX4I/AAAAAAAAAYs/WFtdi8uTRuUcYHJnfCH-33puRziJA2yNQCLcBGAs/s320/20170627_122148.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">17X7 5X100 </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3QKaT8iNGc/WfaKZopY7HI/AAAAAAAAAYo/_d5f5i9MMJcMHD6HJ9lvbMckiCDqLURxQCLcBGAs/s1600/20170627_122141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3QKaT8iNGc/WfaKZopY7HI/AAAAAAAAAYo/_d5f5i9MMJcMHD6HJ9lvbMckiCDqLURxQCLcBGAs/s320/20170627_122141.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Konig DayLite Wheels With 235/45/17 Tires</td></tr></tbody></table>The tires installed were 235/45/17 and were pretty much the same size installed from the factory for OEM 17 in wheels.&nbsp; The offset was perfect for the most part.&nbsp; I'm not a fan of too much poke from the wheels on my cars, so I didn't see a need to use spacers.<br /><br />The only thing I wanted was for a small drop in ride height.&nbsp; My only worry was the fact that the car already sat rather low from the factory, and was more concerned with everyday driving than looks.<br /><br />The wheels and tires really helped dress up the looks of the car.&nbsp; Handling was improved, but mileage did suffer slightly.&nbsp; MPG dropped from 41mpg to 38-39mpg.<br /><br />Can't win them all.<br /><br /><h3>Information High</h3>A lack of information from the factory gauges was also a consideration that needed to be addressed for my Diesel Daily Driver.<br /><br />I wanted a way to monitor Boost, Voltage, Water Temperature and Boost Pressure.<br /><br />Unfortunately, due to limited space for gauges there wasn't going to be an easy way to install enough gauges to monitor everything.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.p3cars.com/volkswagen/" target="_blank">P3 Gauges</a> offered a multifunction gauge that monitored most of the parameters needed, and fit into the space occupied by the Driver's Side air vent in the dash. The gauge read parameters directly from the OBD2 port under the dash.&nbsp; While this was a simple and convenient solution to my issue, it was fairly pricey.<br /><br />Some research revealed several other multifunction OBD2 displays, that were far cheaper than the P3 Gauges offering, but didn't offer the same drop in mounting integration.&nbsp; Some custom work would be needed to mount the chosen unit.<br /><br />I chose to use the <a href="http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/" target="_blank">UltraGauge OBDII Scanner/Gauge</a> for the "Helmet".&nbsp; It offered far more features including, MPG Readings and the ability to read and clear OBDII errors and codes.&nbsp; Mounting the unit was kind of a challenge due to the shape of the gauge and the shape of the dash.&nbsp; I eventually decided to remove the useless factor pop out cup holders located above the head unit, and use a plastic blanking plate in its place.<br /><br />The plate was notched slightly to allow the cable for the UltraGauge to be routed into the dash.&nbsp; A special multidirectional mount for the gauge was secured to the blanking plate with 3M double faced tape.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-moWpiUpGvzw/WfaKUsz3SVI/AAAAAAAAAYw/t3LISlWAHCMZeLmbyWlL_NHHF2tFIwMPgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20170528_202200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-moWpiUpGvzw/WfaKUsz3SVI/AAAAAAAAAYw/t3LISlWAHCMZeLmbyWlL_NHHF2tFIwMPgCEwYBhgL/s320/20170528_202200.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It Actually Works Pretty Well Here</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Once installed, configured and properly calibrated, the UltraGaugeII is a very useful tool.&nbsp; I used it mostly to monitor Water Temperature, Voltage and Boost.&nbsp; There are several other parameters that can be monitored depending on the ECU Protocol used.&nbsp; For $69.97 this gauge is a bargain, and I will probably use it on other OBDII equipped vehicles.<br /><br /><h3>One More Gauge</h3>While the UltraGauge took care of the majority of the engine parameter monitoring issues, I still needed something to monitor oil pressure.<br /><br />&nbsp; The gauge was a little over $100 and the tee was about $12.&nbsp; The steering column pod was around $39 or so.&nbsp; It's been awhile, so I might be completely off.<br /><br />I picked up a 52mm Electrical New South Performance Oil Pressure Gauge along with their L/H side steering column pod.&nbsp; The gauge included pretty much everything needed to install the gauge except for a "tee fitting" from VDO to use with the oil pressure sending port on the engine.<br /><br />I used the info in <a href="http://pics3.tdiclub.com/pdf/gauge_install_2001_VW_Golf_TDI.pdf" target="_blank">this guide</a> for information on locating the proper port on the engine, routing the signal wire past the firewall and the part number for the VDO tee unit (M10x1k thread T-fitting VDO 240-850).&nbsp; Everything else is outlined in the instructions for whatever gauge you wind up using. <br /><br />One thing to consider is how close the factory steering wheel comes to the front of the gauge when installed with the NSP Steering Column Pod.&nbsp; The 52mm AEM digital gauge I intended to use originally wound up hitting the back of the factory steering wheel due to how far the AEM gauge bezel stuck out.&nbsp; It kept hitting the steering wheel.<br /><br />I know for a fact that the NSP and VDO 52mm Analog Gauges will fit using the NSP Steering Column Gauge Pod.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DR0HvpwzfPs/WfaKVRDrwuI/AAAAAAAAAYw/iJQsLpEbzugtw3rcTCCWuyl7zQ2SZn02QCEwYBhgL/s1600/20170528_202151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DR0HvpwzfPs/WfaKVRDrwuI/AAAAAAAAAYw/iJQsLpEbzugtw3rcTCCWuyl7zQ2SZn02QCEwYBhgL/s320/20170528_202151.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost Looks Factory</td></tr></tbody></table><br />&nbsp;Once installed the gauge supplied a lot of peace of mind, as good oil pressure is MANDATORY for reliable operation of any engine.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-poMB_4J4O9I/WfaKTG0C1vI/AAAAAAAAAYw/v4ShGbcyVXY2v_OEThU26JEk_tLIQ7pPACEwYBhgL/s1600/20170528_202107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-poMB_4J4O9I/WfaKTG0C1vI/AAAAAAAAAYw/v4ShGbcyVXY2v_OEThU26JEk_tLIQ7pPACEwYBhgL/s400/20170528_202107.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Information Overload</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The addition of these two gauges provide plenty of information for the driver of a TDI to monitor and diagnose their vehicle.<br /><br />Hopefully this will help someone out in the future.<br /><br /><i><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot....</b></i> <br />&nbsp; <br /><br /><br />Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-5019190158346462082017-08-13T01:48:00.003-05:002017-08-13T01:48:53.962-05:00It's Been Awhile<h2>Woah...</h2><i><b>Damn</b></i>.&nbsp;<br /><br />It has been awhile. Actually,&nbsp; it's been so long I had trouble remembering how to log into this stupid thing.&nbsp;<br /><br />No excuse really, but I just kind of fell off the wagon, and stopped writing. I work a lot, have a GF that monopolizes <i>(kidding, put the knife down) </i>some of my time and spend the remainder out in the garage, so this was real easy to put by the wayside.&nbsp; It's also kind of labor intensive, since writing doesn't really come naturally to me.&nbsp;<br /><br />Which is strange, because I <b>LOVE</b> to read and you'd figure that love of reading would help on the other end with writing.&nbsp;<br /><br /><b><i>Nope.&nbsp; Not really.</i></b>&nbsp;<br /><br />My GF can hammer out a blog post, like it's nothing with pictures, diagrams and unicorn rainbow GIFs all up in that bitch.&nbsp; You can check it out <a href="http://reinventingcrazybeautiful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> .&nbsp; She's pretty good at it.<br /><br />Me?&nbsp; Mr. "Two Finger Typist?"&nbsp; Yeah, right. See you in two hours.<br /><br />Enough about that, let's try to get back into it with what's been going on with the garage and the cars.<br /><br /><h2>&nbsp;So, What Gives?</h2>The reason why I even thought about this thing, was that I started reading a blog a guy had started on a DSM site detailing his efforts to fix/modify/repair/exorcise a 1991 Eagle Talon TSi/AWD.&nbsp; You should check it out, <a href="http://talonbuild.myintimateimages.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> .<br /><br />&nbsp;It kind of reminded me, <b>"Hey Stupid.&nbsp; Don't you have one of these too?"&nbsp;&nbsp;</b><br /><br />So yeah, I'm back for however long that lasts.<br /><b> </b><br /><h2><b>Changes</b></h2>There have been a few changes since my last post.&nbsp; One car left, and others have made their way into the garage.&nbsp; Actually that's one of the changes...I had to get another garage, so I'm now leasing two garages from the complex.<br /><br />I honestly don't know if that's a good thing, recognizing the need for more space or indicative of a future long term issue.<br /><br /><h2>The Lineup</h2><b>99 Miata</b>- Sold it in February.&nbsp; Kind of kicking myself for doing so, because I got kind of lucky with that car, minor issues notwithstanding.&nbsp;<br /><br />I liked this car, <b>A LOT</b>.&nbsp;<br /><br /><i>But I didn't love it.&nbsp;</i><br /><br />&nbsp;So, I had an opportunity to pick up something that I did love <i>(hate, whatever)</i>, and unfortunately that meant, the Miata had to go.<br /><br />I sometimes find myself perusing Craigslist looking for a cheap NA or NB to pick up, but need to stop torturing myself and wait until I get into a house with more room, for more projects.<br /><br /><b>93 Eagle Talon TSi/AWD</b>- The replacement for the Miata as "Jackstand Queen" and "Permanent Garage Occupant."<br /><br />Picked it up from a buddy of mine back in Texas, and I'll do another post about what led to the decision to get it and how it got up here.<br /><br />&nbsp;It's like a roomful of Baby Daddies on the set of the Springer show.&nbsp; Plenty of material to mine here.<br /><br /><b>2001 VW Beetle 1.8l Turbo</b>-&nbsp; Picked this up as a Valentine's Day gift for the GF.&nbsp; Unfortunately, she doesn't seem to be too interested in getting it tagged...insured, or even in driving it.&nbsp; Which really bums me out, because it's really a cool little car.&nbsp; There's material a plenty here as well.&nbsp; It took some time and effort to get it road worthy.<br /><br /><b>2005 VW Golf TDI</b>-&nbsp; Yeah, The Helmet has been giving me issues as well.&nbsp; Spent way too much time under the hood of this thing as well.<br /><br /><br />So, that's where it stands right now.&nbsp; 4 cars, two garages and one cranky guy.&nbsp;<br /><br />Let's see what the future holds, eh?<br /><br /><br /><br /><i><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot.....</b></i><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-27216793155978190672017-01-15T02:11:00.002-06:002017-01-15T02:12:01.564-06:00The TDI Gets A Little Love....<h2>"The Helmet" Gets A Little Polish....</h2><i><b>(Wait.&nbsp; That sounds ALL sorts of wrong.)</b></i><br /><br />I really don't give my VW enough love.<br /><br />It's got a pretty rough gig, dragging me to work and back at least 5 days a week, with a total trip that sometimes goes over 100 miles.&nbsp; I do take care of it, because I have to.&nbsp; It's what I rely on to get me to and from work.&nbsp; So if something goes wrong, I tend to spend money to get it fixed.<br /><br />A month ago, I realized I had put over 50K miles on it since I had gotten it, and hadn't thought to check or find out what the service interval on the automatic transmission was.&nbsp; A quick text to the previous owner, and a consultation with the owner's manual had the car in the dealership two days later to get the tranny serviced.<br /><br />The dealership noticed that my tires, were pretty much worn down <i><b>(Surprise!)</b></i>, so they needed to be replaced.&nbsp; Two days later, the Helmet was riding on new rubber <i><b>(That Didn't Sound Good Either..).</b></i><br /><br /><h2>Your Point?</h2>My point is, while I take care of the car, I don't do a lot of things to make it look or handle better, and I definitely don't do anything to make it faster.&nbsp; I figured, it was time to show it some love, so I hiyt up Craigslist to look for something to try and address one of those three things.<br /><i><b><br /></b></i><br /><h2>Craigslist Crawling</h2>I hit up Craigslist and started searching for something to put on the car.&nbsp; Suspension, exhaust, exterior stuff...oh wait, I know what it needs.&nbsp; New Wheels!&nbsp; Entering "5x100" soon yielded a promising ad, that showed a set of wheels that should fit the Golf, perfectly.<br /><br /><h2>Old School</h2>A guy up in the Kansas City Area <a href="http://falconwerx.blogspot.com/2016/09/loud-noises.html" target="_blank">(Again? Really?)&nbsp; </a>had a set of Borbet Type C wheels for sale in the right bolt pattern and a inch wider than the factory rims on the Golf.&nbsp; At about $200 for the set, it was a steal.&nbsp; After confirming with the seller that the centerbore and offset would work, I set up an appointment on Saturday to drive up and meet him.<br /><br />From a little research I found out the Type C was a fairly popular wheel with European vehicles, and it was also no longer in production.&nbsp; Judging by the size (15x7), centerbore (72.5mm) and offset (+35mm), I think these wheels were originally intended for a BMW of some type.&nbsp; No problem, that's why they make hubcentric rings.<br /><br />Here's what they look like:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/MK3Aviator/picsay-1331258986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/MK3Aviator/picsay-1331258986.jpg" height="640" width="610" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank You Google Images</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Met up with the guy, picked up the wheels and headed back home.&nbsp; Got the wheels unloaded and found one had a slight bend on the inboard side.&nbsp; No problem had a local shop straighten it for a small fee.<br /><br />Here's a shot of an older Golf with the Type C's installed:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m277/arda103/mk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m277/arda103/mk2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It'll Be Fine..</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><h2>Why Aren't They On The Car?</h2>Because it's cold outside, and I want to put more performance oriented tires on this set of wheels and save the stockers, for winter use.&nbsp; Which it is now.&nbsp; Unfortunately.<br /><br />Also, along with the new wheels and tires, I figure a slight suspension drop is in order as well.<br /><br />&nbsp;Can't have new wheels with stock ride height, right?<br /><br />It'll Happen.<br /><br /><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot... </b><br /><br /><br /><br /><h2><i><b><br /></b></i></h2><br />Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-42175747379017462932016-11-26T00:56:00.001-06:002016-11-26T21:05:27.529-06:00Looking For Surfboards...In Texas<h2><b>Ow....That's Gonna Smart</b></h2><b>&nbsp;</b>I installed a Blackbird Fabworx Single Diagonal Rollbar in the car a few months back to get the car ready for track days and also as a added safety feature on the street. &nbsp;<b> </b><br /><br />One thing I noticed about this roll bar was that it comes really close to my head, with the NB1 seat in a comfortable driving position.&nbsp; I now see why the Hard Dog Single Diagonal roll bar has the diagonal brace offset slightly,&nbsp; to allow the driver some extra head room.<br /><br />I don't regret buying the Blackbird bar, but I think that for a mostly street driven car, the Hard Dog might have been a better choice.&nbsp; <br /><br />I have the bar padded with SFI approved padding, but the thought of hitting the bar with my oversized noggin, just wasn't that appealing to me.&nbsp; Unfortunately this is a real possibility with the shorter NB1 seats. Since I primarily plan to drive the car on the street, I wasn't really interested in installing a set of aftermarket seats at this time.<br /><br />So, I hit up <a href="http://car-part.com/">Car-Part</a> and started searching for a set of NB2 "Surfboard"seats.<br /><br /><h2>Surfboards?</h2>The factory seats used in the 2001-2005 Miata/MX-5 cars, had a much taller seatback and headrest than the earlier seats.&nbsp; They look kind of like a surfboard, so that's the name that stuck for them. &nbsp;&nbsp; It's a popular upgrade for earlier model NB1 cars (like mine) and NA Miatas as well.&nbsp; I've been keeping my eye out for a set locally, but haven't had much luck.&nbsp; I thought using Car-Part.com might net me a set locally, or at the very least, in Kansas City. <br /><br /><h2>Foiled Again! </h2>Surprise, surprise.&nbsp; There's not a very big supply of used Miata parts in this area.&nbsp; A search in the Kansas/Missouri/Arkansas area didn't show a lot of promise, unlike my search for the same parts in Texas. Plenty of hits there.&nbsp; Go figure.&nbsp; I figured it was a good excuse to go see my folks and snag some seats for the car.<br /><br /><b>Road Trip!</b><br /><br /><h2><b>Mazda Heaven....Indeed</b></h2>Stopped by <a href="http://www.mazdanissanheaven.com/">Nissan-Mazda Heaven</a> in Ft. Worth, TX to check out what they had, before I headed further south to my parent's place.<br /><br />If you need ANYTHING Miata related in the TX/OK/KS area, this is the place to go to. They ship as well, so I have a feeling I'll be talking to these folks again.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp; Found a set of blue cloth NB2 seats in "decent" shape. Definitely pricier than what I was used to paying for seats from a junkyard, but I needed them and they had them, so..yeah capitalism and stuff.&nbsp; I also picked up a 2001+ Header and a spare gauge cluster for a possible future project.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161028_150513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161028_150513.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Doorknob", Earning Its Keep</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Time To Make The Chimichangas...</h2>Got them home after spending the weekend with my folks and tore them down to properly clean the seat covers, and the foam.<br /><br />Bought a plastic storage tub and filled it with water and some liquid upholstery cleaner from a spot carpet cleaner. Washed the covers by hand (gently) and then hung them to dry. <br /><br />I'm glad I washed them, because the water was pretty filthy after I was done.<br /><br />Wiped the seat foam down with some Clorox Spray Cleaner with bleach, and painted the seat pans with POR15.The pans got a little rusty while in the junk yard. &nbsp; Rattle canned the pans with some semi gloss black to cover the POR15.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161107_104952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161107_104952.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battleship Grey</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Did a slight "foamectomy" to both seat bottoms, before reassembling everything.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161106_134050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161106_134050.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Slight" Foamectomy</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161106_134111.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="360" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seat Backs Reassembled</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Reinstalled everything. From the first picture, you can see the difference in height between the NB1 and NB2 seats.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161108_013629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161108_013629.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See What I Mean About The Rollbar?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161108_120952.jpg" height="360" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue And Tan?&nbsp; Yeah...No.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161108_120938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161108_120938.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I went ahead and drove the car to work a few weeks ago and after spending some time in the new seats, I had to make a few adjustments.<br /><br />Removed a section of rollbar padding directly behind the Driver's Side seat. It interfered with reclining the seat enough for it to be comfortable.<br /><br />Reinstalled the foam section I cut out for the "foamectomy" on the Driver's Side. The angle that I was sitting at with the foam cut out, just wasn't that comfortable on long drives. I might take it back out and cut some more foam out to try and get it perfect, but I think I'll see how I like it for right now.<br /><br />Need to order some aftermarket upholstery to change out the blue cloth for tan leather. <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://mazdaroadster.net/images/smilies/facepalm.gif" title="FACEPALM" /> I thought I wouldn't mind it that much.<br /><br /><b>&nbsp;I was wrong.</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think the NB1 seats were a bit more comfortable than the NB2 seats, but I can't question the fact that the NB2 seats offer a lot more protection with the rollbar installed.&nbsp; So, until I make a final decision about the "Surfboards", I'm going to hold onto the NB1 seats for awhile longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Who knows?&nbsp; I may grow to like them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot... </b></div>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-11485020587503487782016-11-26T00:29:00.003-06:002016-11-26T01:03:31.055-06:00Track Weekend Bro!<h2><b>Seemed Like A Good Idea...</b>&nbsp;</h2>Took the Miata out to my first ever driving even on the weekend of the 15th and 16th of October.<br /><br />Driver's Edge was holding an event at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, TX and I took my all season tired, stock 170K suspension having butt out there to see what the car could do. <br /><br />My plan was to drive the car down, beat it on the track and then drive home. No sweat, right?<br /><br />I didn't go completely unprepared....I put new rotors and Green Stuff pads on all around. So I had that going for me.<br /><br />See? That's me being prepared.<br /><br />Seriously though, I went over the car as best I could.&nbsp; Checked fluids, looked the car over on the underside, checked the suspension, made sure wheels were torqued, along with the brakes.<br /><br /><h2>Heading Out.. </h2>This was going to be my first real road trip in the car, since I had gotten it, so just a bit nervous.<br /><br />&nbsp;I drove from Wichita KS, pretty much straight through to Plano, TX to meet a friend at the Mercedes dealership he worked at. We bullshitted a bit, and he threw a quickie alignment on the car for me, and then we headed out to Cresson, to check into the hotel for the night.<br /><h2></h2><h2>It's Too Early For This... </h2>Got to the track as early as we could and staked out a spot for us and another friend who was driving his new M3. Once we got settled in to our spot, got checked in, attended my first driver's class and got the car ready for the day.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161016_104515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161016_104515.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice Numbering Job, Eh?</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Getting it "ready" consisted of slapping some numbers on it, emptying the trunk, adjusting the seat, doing a last minute fluids check and yanking the floor mats out.&nbsp; Before too long, the call over the loud speakers came for the Green Group, and I was off to my first session with my instructor.<br /><h2><b>How Was It?</b></h2>I had a blast! Definitely more intense than I was expecting At first I was very hesitant with the car, and definitely a bit stressed.&nbsp; Lots of traffic out there, and a lot of information to process.&nbsp; The track was set up for a full 3.1 mile course, so it was kind of a beating for my first ever track day. I got passed (a lot), but I enjoyed pushing the car once I relaxed a bit. Also the instruction I got from my instructor and the classroom sessions went a long way as well.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/Img_11461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/Img_11461.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Resolution Yo</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/Img_10933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/Img_10933.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Car, Big Track</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Next Time...</h2>I wanted to take the car out there mostly stock to see what it felt like before I started modding it with suspension parts, and different wheels and tires.<br /><br />This is one tough little car.&nbsp; I beat the dog snot out of the car, and it handled everything like a champ. Had a few close calls, but I didn't stuff it in the dirt.<br /><br />Made the 6 hour drive back to Wichita on Sunday, without a real hitch, besides the one in my back. <br /><br />Now, I really want to get some suspension and new wheels and tires for this thing.<br /><br />Oh and improve the "loose nut" behind the wheel as well.<br /><br /><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot.... </b><br /><br />Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-3040159735722305362016-11-26T00:13:00.000-06:002016-11-26T21:01:53.774-06:00The Turtle Gets Stripped<h2><b>Just A Little Work...</b></h2>&nbsp; One thing that bothered me about the car when I got it was the condition of the front and rear bumpers.<br /><br />The front was pitted and looked to have been repainted a few times, along with a small puncture mark on the driver's side.<br /><br />The rear bumper wasn't that great either, with evidence of a few resprays and some cracked paint, showing down to the primer.<br /><br />So, while the car was down for the rollbar install, I went ahead and pulled the bumpers, and hood off to give to the guy who had painted my hardtop for me. The plan was to have everything painted and reinstalled before the track day in October.<br /><br />Needless to say, the car looked a little funny:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160828_110736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160828_110736.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kind Of "Mad Maxish".</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160828_110723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160828_110723.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Turtle And The Helmet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160828_110708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160828_110708.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Dropped everything off and waited a few weeks for him to get done. He said that the bumpers had definitely been repainted a few times, but he managed to strip them down completely. Charged me a little more than he quoted, but was happy with the job for the most part. <br /><br /><h2>Except For This.. </h2>For some reason, he decided that the metal support plate in the front bumper, needed some Mica loving, so I ended up drilling the pop rivets out and spraying the whole thing with semi gloss black.&nbsp; Nothing too terrible, just annoying.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160921_211234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160921_211234.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He Even Painted The Rubber Seal For The Hood!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h2>I Hate Gold... </h2>Since the emblems had to come off, and I wasn't a fan of them being anodized gold, I shot them with some of the Shadow Cast paint for chrome, and painted them semi gloss black as well.<br /><br />Put everything back together and it was looking a lot better.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161014_094741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20161014_094741.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Track Day Ready!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />&nbsp;Now I just need to do something about that dent in the driver's side rear quarter panel.<br /><br /><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot....</b> Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-54618502831046475532016-11-25T23:44:00.002-06:002016-11-26T20:48:55.546-06:00VW Alternator Antics<h2>It's Been Awhile..</h2>Haven't updated this thing in a while.&nbsp; I have no real excuse other than the CW started airing their Superhero shows again, and I get home late sometimes.&nbsp; <br /><br />Hmm.&nbsp; Stay up late banging out a blog post or park my big ass on the couch and catch up with what Supergirl, The Flash, The Green Arrow and the Legends of Tomorrow crew are up to? <br /><br />Let's just say that my couch has a rather nice, Muttski shaped dent in it now.&nbsp; What can I say?&nbsp; I'm a sucker for a blonde in a red skirt and a cape, flying around and dispensing justice.&nbsp; And don't get me started on the White Canary.<br /><br /><b>&nbsp;Damn.</b><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Nevertheless, this doesn't mean things haven't been going on in the old garage, it just means I've been too lazy to document it.<br /><br />So, since I have some downtime due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, I guess some posts are in order.<br /><br /><h2>You Have Failed me For The Last Time....</h2>Usually, I write about the Miata, because I'm always qworking on it.&nbsp; However this time it was my old faithful and reliable daily driver that decided to act up. Yes, "The Helmet", my stalwart, diesel powered steed, has decided it needed some attention.<br /><br /><h2>Did It Always Make This Noise? </h2>&nbsp;So, there I was driving the Helmet around town to run some errands.&nbsp; Pulled into a parking spot and noticed it made this horrible, growling noise whenever I turned the wheel.&nbsp; It was loud enough that people passing by were giving me the <i>"What a hoopty"</i> look.<br /><br />This would not do. <br /><br /><h2>Well, What's Wrong Now? </h2>Determined to fix whatever was wrong with the car, and get rid of the God awful noise, I started troubleshooting.<br /><br />In the parking lot.&nbsp; Of a Target.&nbsp; On a Saturday Night.<br /><i><br /></i><i>Do I know how to party, or what?</i>&nbsp; <br /><br />I turned the wheel a few more times, and was able to repeat the noise, but noticed that it went away whenever I gave it a bit more throttle.&nbsp; It struck me as weird that the noise was affected by RPM.&nbsp; I popped the hood and checked the power steering fluid level, and noted that it was <b>VERY</b> low.&nbsp; Well there's my problem!!&nbsp; Right?&nbsp; Just top that sucker off and it's back to noise free high MPG shenanigans.<br /><br /><h2>Thanks VW</h2>The power steering fluid used in most MkIV VW products, is something that's not available in the automotive section of your typical Wal-Mart or Target.&nbsp; After some hurried research on my phone in the parking lot, I found out from several online forums, that in no uncertain terms&nbsp; to NOT use off the shelf stuff, and instead use a dealer approved fluid.<br /><br />Great, would totally do that...if a dealership was open at 8pm on a Saturday.&nbsp;<br /><br />Feeling defeated, I got the car home and started looking around in the garage and found a box of extras that were included with the car when I bought it.<br />Success!<br />&nbsp;Found a container of power steering fluid in my box of junk and topped off the reservoir.&nbsp; I figured, problem solved.<br /><br /><b><i>I was wrong.</i></b><br /><br />I cycled the steering from lock to lock to try and bleed the system, for about 10 minutes and only succeeded in making more noise, pissing off my neighbors and thoroughly disgusting myself for not having noticed the power steering fluid was low.<br /><br />At this point I figured either the power steering pump or rack had nuked itself, and I was going to have to spend some money to replace both components.&nbsp; I resolved to just drive the car and live with the cringe inducing noises it made, until I could replace the parts or it blew up.&nbsp; <br /><br /><h2>Noisy Cricket</h2>I drove it for about a week, with the noise haunting me in every parking lot, or low speed turn.&nbsp; The "hooptification" of my vehicle continued unabated, and I wasn't happy about it.<br /><br />The noise would go away, whenever the RPM's climbed past idle, and to me that didn't sound like a bad steering rack or power steering pump. Plus, there was no sign of fluid or leakage anywhere that I could see.&nbsp; If it was making that much noise, there had to be some serious contamination in the pump and rack.&nbsp; Surely it should have started to leak somewhere, right?<br /><br />So, once again the hood was popped with the engine running.&nbsp; I wanted to see if I could spot any leaks, with the rack under pressure.&nbsp; I didn't see any leaks, but I did see something else that was unusual.<br /><br /><h2>Twerk, Twerk, Twerk..</h2>With the engine running at idle, the spring loaded tensioner for the serpentine belt was rocking back and forth so hard, I thought it was going to fly off and whack me in the head.&nbsp; I know that tensioners are expected to move slightly during operation, but this one looked like a cracked out hula dancer.<br /><br />Once again, I searched on the forums and researched what could possibly cause the tensioner to act like that.&nbsp; A post on <a href="http://forums.tdiclub.com/" target="_blank">TDIClub</a> (The "Go To" Forum For VW TDI Owners) stated that not only was the tensioner not supposed to do that, but the cause of the tensioner shaking, could also account for the horrible hoopty inducing sounds my car was making.<br /><br /><h2>Thanks Volkswagen...Again</h2>According to some forum members, the tensioner issue and the noises, were possibly due to a bad pulley on the alternator.&nbsp; The alternator used a one way clutch incorporated into the pulley, for some dumbassed reason.&nbsp; If it seizes up, then the serpentine belt would load up under tension at low speeds, causing a noise somewhat akin to a power steering setup, shitting itself.<br /><br />I blocked the armature of the alternator with a screwdriver, and loosened the belt.&nbsp; Sure enough, the pulley was locked up.<br /><br />Fortunately, the pulley was replaceable in the car.<br /><br />Unfortunately, it required a special tool set to replace it, along with a new pulley.<br />&nbsp;Pisser.&nbsp;<br />Off to <a href="http://www.idparts.com/catalog/" target="_blank">ID Parts</a> to order what I needed. A new pulley, and a tool kit to remove and install the pulley in the car.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;Check out <a href="http://www.metalnerd.com/default.htm" target="_blank">Metal Nerd</a> for all your specialty and oddball&nbsp; tools and bits for VW's and other cars.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i59.tinypic.com/4qhoue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i59.tinypic.com/4qhoue.jpg" height="640" width="566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Is What I Needed: Metal Nerd MN3400 Alternator Bit Set</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h2>Adapt, Improvise....Hit It With A Hammer</h2>After a few days, everything showed up and I was ready to tackle this thing and <b>"Make My VW Great Again."&nbsp;&nbsp;</b><br /><br />Loosened the serpentine belt <b><i>again</i></b>, with a 17mm Open End Wrench and a tensioner lock tool to hold the tensioner in place.&nbsp; Moved the belt out of the way.<br /><b> </b><br />Consulted the directions on the Metal Nerd Tool Kit and got a breaker bar with a 12mm socket to hold the center bit in place and&nbsp; used the 17mm wrench to turn the bit on the alternator pulley.&nbsp; Held the breaker bar in place, while turning the wrench in a loosening (counter clockwise) direction and.....<br /><br /><b>*STRIP!!!* (DAMN IT!!)</b><br /><br />&nbsp; The splines inside the alternator shaft, were either already stripped out, or the tool stripped them out when I applied my God Like torque to the wrench .&nbsp; Either way, it was hosed and the alternator was going to have to come out.<br /><b> </b><br /><h2>Fortunately.. </h2>The alternator is pretty easy to remove. 2 13mm bolts hold it in place.&nbsp; There is a electrical plug on the rear of the alternator, with a ring terminal held on by a 14mm nut with a lock washer.&nbsp; There's also a clamp to hold the wiring in place, but it can be removed after the alternator bolts are removed to allow access to the 7mm nut holding the clamp in place.<br /><b></b><br />With the alternator out, it was time to get "froggy" with the pulley.&nbsp; Using the splined Metal Nerd bit and a 17mm socket, a electric impact gun was used to remove the old pulley.&nbsp; The new pulley was threaded on along with a few tightening taps from the impact gun. A couple of "Ugga Uggas" if you want to get technical about it.<br /><br /><h2>I Think That's Got It.. </h2>Reassembled everything, and I'm happy to report the tensioner doesn't shake anymore and the steering rack is quiet once again.<br /><br />I've learned a few things from all this.<br /><br /><b>1.&nbsp; Don't always assume the worst.</b>&nbsp; -&nbsp; I was all ready to buy a new steering rack and a power steering pump, when the problem turned out to be a $39.95 (plus shipping) bearing, plus a $29.95 (plus shipping)&nbsp; specialty tool kit. A little more troubleshooting and a clearer head, saved me some money and aggravation. <br /><br /><b>2.&nbsp; VW Engineers Need A Kick In The Ass-&nbsp; </b>Seriously?&nbsp; A special bit set to pull off a freaking pulley?&nbsp; Was a bolt and lock washer too mainstream for you guys?<br /><br /><b>3.&nbsp; I've Got Nothing</b>-&nbsp; I'm just glad the stupid thing isn't making the noise anymore.<br /><br />And, I think the door sensor switch on the Driver;'s Side Front door is going out now.<br /><br /><i><b>Fawk.... </b></i><br /><br /><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot....</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2></h2>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-57094231295486829852016-09-26T03:13:00.000-05:002016-09-26T03:15:03.509-05:00Intake Addendum<h2>Well, I Already Have It..</h2>As I mentioned <a href="http://falconwerx.blogspot.com/2016/09/loud-noises.html" target="_blank">before</a>, I got a "custom" crossover tube with my Racing Beat Intake for my 99 Miata.<br /><br />I remember taking a look at it when I got it, and a cursory examination revealed it<b><i> SHOULD</i></b> work on my car, albeit with some slight modifications.<br /><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Why Do This?</h2>The piping used is of a larger diameter than the OEM Plastic Crossover Tube.<br /><br /><i>Maybe it could act like a Poor Man's ARC Plenum Chamber?&nbsp; Possibly? &nbsp; Just Way Cheaper?</i><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/justanotthurazn/IMG_3351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/justanotthurazn/IMG_3351.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pricey Japanese Parts</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><b>Ahhh.....Probably not.&nbsp;</b><br /><br />&nbsp;I seriously doubt this particular piece will do anything power wise.<br /><br />It'll probably look very nice, and possibly strand me on the side of the road one night because that's what "custom parts" do.<br /><br />Screw it.&nbsp; Let's put it on the car.&nbsp; I'm tired of tripping over it in the garage.<br /><br /><br /><h2>What Are We Working With Here?</h2>The pipe wasn't really anything special.&nbsp; Just 2 pieces of polished 3 in diameter piping, with 90 degree bends at each end.&nbsp; The two pieces were welded together in the center, with beaded edges welded onto the ends of the piping that went into the Throttle Body and MAF Inlet.&nbsp; There was also a&nbsp; aluminum nipple welded into the O.D. of the piping for the breather line from the valve cover.<br /><br />I'm no welder, but the welds didn't look to be done very well.&nbsp; Better than anything I could do, but not very good in general. Along with the welds, I was also concerned about welding spatter or debris from the installation of the nipple in the pipe.<br /><br />There were a couple of nice quality 2.75 to 3.0 in silicone couplers included, but no hose clamps.<br /><br />The previous owner of the intake kit said he had a buddy make the pipe up for him, but never got around to installing it.<br /><br />OK, I can work with this.<br /><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>&nbsp;Let's Make This Work</h2>A quick test fit showed that the overall length of the piping, was a bit too long to fit properly.<br /><br />Since it was too long, and I wanted to inspect and clean up any possible internal debris that I couldn't view easily, I decided to cut the piping in half.&nbsp; The cut was made pretty much right in the middle, with a cutoff wheel in a die grinder at first, then finished with a electric jigsaw.<br /><br />&nbsp; Knowing that the pipe would have to be cut, I had already ordered a Black 3 in Hump Coupler from <a href="http://www.siliconeintakes.com/" target="_blank">Silicone Intakes , </a>to join the two sections together.&nbsp; The hump coupling would also offer some flexibility in the piping to accommodate engine movement while driving.<br /><br />I carefully ground down the edges of the cut pieces to allow the pieces to fit between the TB and MAF properly.&nbsp; This also allowed the hump coupler to fit easier, with the welds on the OD of the piping to act as beaded edges for the coupler and clamps.&nbsp; The edges were filed to remove any flash, or debris and sanded smooth.<br /><br />As I suspected, there was some potential debris present from drilling and welding the aluminum nipple in place.&nbsp; I knocked off the loose metal and welding slag, and hit the area with a file and sandpaper to try and clean it up.<br /><br />Ran a clean rag through both pieces of piping to clean the ID of the piping of may debris.&nbsp; <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160925_122137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160925_122137.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needs More Hose Clamps</td></tr></tbody></table>Installed hose clamps on the coupler ends, and tightened everything down.&nbsp; Hooked up the breather line and started the car.&nbsp; No issues, appeared to be working well and even seems to clear the hood when closed.<br /><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Was It Worth It?</h2>Probably not.&nbsp; It just looks a lot better than the stock plastic tube, and it probably has no performance benefit whatsoever.&nbsp; I was just tired of looking at it.<br /><br />&nbsp; Hopefully nothing comes loose and leaves me stranded on the side of the road.<br /><br /><br />I probably should start carrying tools when I drive this car from now on.<br /><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot...</b>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-8635069792417927822016-09-23T03:58:00.002-05:002016-09-23T11:20:42.148-05:00Blackbird Fabworx Roll Bar Install<h2>Well, It Finally Showed Up</h2>&nbsp;After about a week and a half after ordering it, my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackbirdFabworxFTW/" target="_blank">Blackbird Fabworx Single Diagonal Rollbar</a> showed up at my apartment via UPS Ground.<br /><br />I was expecting it to be delivered to the complex Manager's Office, but instead the driver dropped it off in the hallway in front of my door.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-49fx3RShl04/V-TRnrX9D0I/AAAAAAAAAUM/yK8mFY-z1HIA6xp5wt69IqhhAJXgBvw0wCLcB/s1600/20160826_124837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-49fx3RShl04/V-TRnrX9D0I/AAAAAAAAAUM/yK8mFY-z1HIA6xp5wt69IqhhAJXgBvw0wCLcB/s400/20160826_124837.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm Here!</td></tr></tbody></table>This meant I got to lug the package back up the stairs and outside to my detached garage.<br /><br /><b>Fine.</b>&nbsp; (I can use the exercise.)<br /><br />So I got the box moved out to the garage and started tearing into it.<br /><br /><h2>Unboxing</h2>The bar was well boxed and protected during shipping.&nbsp; It took me about 15 minutes to completely extract the bar, and hardware from the box.<br /><br />Most of this was due to the large amount of packing material, and tape protecting the powdercoated surface of the bar.&nbsp; It protected everything quite well, just made cutting everything loose "fun".<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYaJ9xDOEiM/V-TRnhvi9fI/AAAAAAAAAVs/zNrZ9OjmWqIBPpmtAv-oKGx9VwiNKhfEACEw/s1600/20160826_125753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYaJ9xDOEiM/V-TRnhvi9fI/AAAAAAAAAVs/zNrZ9OjmWqIBPpmtAv-oKGx9VwiNKhfEACEw/s400/20160826_125753.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's A Roll Bar In There</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Once I got it loose and free of the protective materials, I got my first good look at at the bar.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gLkCvujbn54/V-TRnvn7PjI/AAAAAAAAAVs/gljQKUy_j74-48oSYSifx2laDYpOqOj3gCEw/s1600/20160826_131745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gLkCvujbn54/V-TRnvn7PjI/AAAAAAAAAVs/gljQKUy_j74-48oSYSifx2laDYpOqOj3gCEw/s400/20160826_131745.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooh!!&nbsp; Pretty Welds!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bhZO__xMaZs/V-TRn4y9wjI/AAAAAAAAAVs/T69b4QIbckgWZW9eVy5FOyh3b9qby-6jQCEw/s1600/20160826_131807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bhZO__xMaZs/V-TRn4y9wjI/AAAAAAAAAVs/T69b4QIbckgWZW9eVy5FOyh3b9qby-6jQCEw/s400/20160826_131807.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicely Made Mount Plates</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ntW3vFH3b7c/V-TRnxDPrjI/AAAAAAAAAVs/NxLMH8b8fI8bxma8VZQMcSnmqdKn5tIbACEw/s1600/20160826_131822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ntW3vFH3b7c/V-TRnxDPrjI/AAAAAAAAAVs/NxLMH8b8fI8bxma8VZQMcSnmqdKn5tIbACEw/s400/20160826_131822.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent Powder Coat Job</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>My first impressions of the bar, were that the fans of Blackbird Fab, were right on the money.&nbsp; Everything was well made, with nice looking welds and a excellent job on the powdercoat.<br /><br />The hardware kit included 4 backing plates for the mounts on the bar, along with Grade 8 Nuts, Bolts and Washers for the install.&nbsp; The backing plates were also powder coated and were well machined with rounded edges on the corners.<br /><br />I consulted the print out of the instructions that Blackbird's owner emailed me when I bought the bar, and did an inventory of all the parts.&nbsp; Everything was present.&nbsp; Time to get started.<br /><br /><h2>Let The Slaughter Begin</h2>I did the install pretty much by myself.&nbsp; Despite what some YouTube "mechanics" might say in their videos, you can in fact do this by yourself.<br /><br />&nbsp; It's just a pain in the ass without an extra set of hands, but meh...it can be done.<br /><br />So, I started by removing everything that was in the way.&nbsp; I had already pulled the hard top and stored it in my apartment the day before the bar arrived, so it made the interior removal a lot easier.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kpc32fAYTo0/V-TRoEzgqaI/AAAAAAAAAVs/QMKUrRghlGAdgUFGPubAv2WFBFdfKLm2ACEw/s1600/20160828_115339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kpc32fAYTo0/V-TRoEzgqaI/AAAAAAAAAVs/QMKUrRghlGAdgUFGPubAv2WFBFdfKLm2ACEw/s400/20160828_115339.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNX4DFil8U4/V-TRoS08O5I/AAAAAAAAAVs/mkZjLq8E92gMo4uugj8J4cxKd2H43im8wCEw/s1600/20160828_132608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNX4DFil8U4/V-TRoS08O5I/AAAAAAAAAVs/mkZjLq8E92gMo4uugj8J4cxKd2H43im8wCEw/s400/20160828_132608.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h4>Seats: </h4>First things to go were the seats.&nbsp; You could do this with them in installed, but it was literally eight 14mm bolts, and took about 3 minutes to pull.&nbsp; You'll want the extra room this affords.<br /><br /><h4>Rear Carpet:</h4>Removing the rear carpet is a fairly easy process.&nbsp; I believe there are four 10mm threaded fasteners at the base of the carpet behind the seats, and the rest of the fasteners are plastic carpet trim plugs.&nbsp; If you can, use the proper tool to remove them, <a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/panel-clip-pliers-67399.html" target="_blank">Panel Clip Pliers</a>. If you don't use these, and go after them with a flat head screwdriver, and a pair of needle nose pliers, you <b>WILL BREAK MOST OF THEM</b>.<br /><br />Like I did.<br /><br />Luckily, there's place online that sells them in bulk.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Mazda_Trunk_And_Carpet_Retainer_p/a21560.htm" target="_blank">25 plugs for about 7 or 8 dollars</a>.&nbsp; They only come in black, but it beats paying $2 a plug from the dealership.<br /><br /><h4>Parcel Shelf Carpet:</h4>Same thing as before.&nbsp; Remove the trim plugs and pull the parcel shelf carpet off.&nbsp; The carpet has a large sound deadening panel glued to it.&nbsp; I pulled mine off like a dumbass, and had to wrestle with a it a bit when everything went back together.<br /><br /><h4>Trim Pieces:</h4>Remove all the trim pieces on either side of the car.&nbsp; Most of these parts are snapped in place, and can be removed fairly easily.&nbsp; Some of them have plastic push rivets and screws holding them in place.&nbsp; My car came with a factory windblocker, so it had to come out before I could pull all the panels off.&nbsp; At this point, you should also go ahead and remove the parcel shelf cover.&nbsp; It's held on with a bunch of 10mm bolts.<br /><h4><br />Soft Top:</h4>The bar can be installed with the soft top in place, but is MUCH easier to do without the top in place.&nbsp; There are three 12mm bolts on the inboard side where the top frame bolts to.&nbsp; There a number of nuts holding 3 U-Shaped brackets under the softop window towards the rear.&nbsp; These need to come out as well.&nbsp; Disconnect your defroster harness, and get ready to lift the whole thing out of the car.&nbsp; This is one of the places where having an extra body would be handy.&nbsp; The top assembly isn't that heavy, but it is awkward to handle by yourself.<br /><br />Once that's done, it's time to start making <b>irreversible</b> mods to your car.<br /><h4>Seatbelt Mods:</h4>Unbolt the seatbelt guides and retain the mount bolt.&nbsp; You'll need it later.&nbsp; Remove the upper screw/bolt on the seatbelt reel along with the lower.&nbsp; You'll be reusing the lower bolt, and possibly the upper as well.<br />Break off the locating tab on the reel to allow the reel to move inboard with the lower bolt attached.&nbsp; Loosely install the mount bolt on the reels and bring the top end of the reel as far inboard as possible, while allowing the reel to still function.<br />Mark a hole with a centerpunch and drill a hole that allows a bolt to hold the reel in this position.<br />For my car, I had to scrounge in my bolt bin to find two appropriate metal self tapping screws to do the job.<br />Remove the lower mounting bolts once the seatbelt reels are in place.<br /><h4><br />Cutting/Trimming:</h4>Now you need to start making some cuts, to allow the rear legs of the bar to clear the parcel shelf. <br />At this point you have two choices.&nbsp; You can remove the minimum amount of metal to allow the bar to clear, and maintain a neat appearance or you can cut more metal out and have an easier time with drilling the holes for the rear mount feet.&nbsp; Your choice.<br /><br />I placed the bar in the car temporarily, which was another point where someone to help, would have been great.&nbsp; With the bar in place, I "eyeballed" where I thought the rear bar would pass and estimated how far back.&nbsp; In the interest of making it look as neat as possible, I cut both sides with approximately the same dimensions, and tried to follow the contour of the metal when possible. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8R7cwSkceOw/V-TRoU2veVI/AAAAAAAAAVs/XwwL1o7Ilqk1LibxCrWe2D50JI2nI4q9QCEw/s1600/20160828_141203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8R7cwSkceOw/V-TRoU2veVI/AAAAAAAAAVs/XwwL1o7Ilqk1LibxCrWe2D50JI2nI4q9QCEw/s400/20160828_141203.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough Estimate</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GO5tUrutgsQ/V-TRoV_RbTI/AAAAAAAAAVs/-rna-qRSE70GAHqoi7SFSEMkLdeW8MK4gCEw/s1600/20160828_165817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GO5tUrutgsQ/V-TRoV_RbTI/AAAAAAAAAVs/-rna-qRSE70GAHqoi7SFSEMkLdeW8MK4gCEw/s400/20160828_165817.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut Too Far Back</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzEsjMmyZVA/V-TRopKTVAI/AAAAAAAAAVs/7xEIeL06VeMsuaXCIvqu7wk5cngtFzzugCEw/s1600/20160828_165831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzEsjMmyZVA/V-TRopKTVAI/AAAAAAAAAVs/7xEIeL06VeMsuaXCIvqu7wk5cngtFzzugCEw/s400/20160828_165831.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same Here, But It Made It Easier To Drill The Holes For The Mount Plates</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cAcHOyJcUTU/V-TRoquagwI/AAAAAAAAAVs/VAheX5aGhvUzSwwnKbz0GnZFo4spGmFCQCEw/s1600/20160828_170944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cAcHOyJcUTU/V-TRoquagwI/AAAAAAAAAVs/VAheX5aGhvUzSwwnKbz0GnZFo4spGmFCQCEw/s400/20160828_170944.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar Set In Car</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9io73uEE7Wo/V-TRo1R1WHI/AAAAAAAAAVs/G7Hux1KRALUBUTlTUKRJQajxZgyX6kDxgCEw/s1600/20160828_171000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9io73uEE7Wo/V-TRo1R1WHI/AAAAAAAAAVs/G7Hux1KRALUBUTlTUKRJQajxZgyX6kDxgCEw/s400/20160828_171000.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See?&nbsp; Cut It Too Far Back.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />&nbsp; <br />I had to make a few adjustments on my initial cuts, but it didn't turn out too bad.&nbsp; I used a electric die grinder with a cutoff wheel for the majority of the cuts.&nbsp; The rest were made with a hacksaw and a electric jigsaw.&nbsp; Once I had my final cuts made, I dressed the sharp edges of the cuts with a mill and bastard file.&nbsp; I also tried to use a half round file to radius the sharp corners of my cuts.<br /><br />I also placed the Parcel Shelf cover back on and trimmed it as well with the same tools.&nbsp; The edges were also dressed and radiused as best as possible with the files.<br /><br />The cut edges of the Parcel Shelf in the were masked off and had POR-15 applied to the exposed edges of metal, to try and prevent rust from forming.&nbsp; I also hit the areas where the rear mount feet would be bolted to the car.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3eQlIvJcmM/V-TRo78DAzI/AAAAAAAAAVs/p2farWdOjP03Wl-MdfBh0Jh-0o5UGIVUACEw/s1600/20160904_111003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3eQlIvJcmM/V-TRo78DAzI/AAAAAAAAAVs/p2farWdOjP03Wl-MdfBh0Jh-0o5UGIVUACEw/s400/20160904_111003.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey POR-15</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1j0dS_h07ZQ/V-TRpG3Id_I/AAAAAAAAAVs/V9Q8WPb0r0sxUnzVa1hY91PAoB0LtY7WwCEw/s1600/20160904_111010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1j0dS_h07ZQ/V-TRpG3Id_I/AAAAAAAAAVs/V9Q8WPb0r0sxUnzVa1hY91PAoB0LtY7WwCEw/s400/20160904_111010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopefully No Rust</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h4>Drilling:</h4>At this point it's time to place the bar in the car and start drilling holes for the mount plates.<br />Got the bar back in and used the lower seatbelt reel bolts to "lock" the bar in place to start drilling the holes needed.<br />The clearance from the side of the bar to the old seatbelt tower was very tight, so I used two pieces of cardboard stuffed between the bar and&nbsp; seatbelt tower to center the bar before I tightened down the lower seatbelt reel bolts.<br />Ensure that all wiring on the front mount pads are inboard of the main hoop, and outboard at the rear pad.&nbsp; I didn't do this and it bit me in the butt later on. <br />Using a centerpunch, I marked the center of the bolt holes for the front and rear mount plates.&nbsp; The rear mount pads under the parcel shelf already lined up (mostly) with existing holes in the body, so two mount bolts were dropped in place to try and keep everything centered.&nbsp; The holes for the rear pads are kind of difficult to access easily, so it might be easier to get at them from the bottom of the car.<br />Drilled the marked holes in the front pads with a smaller pilot bit, then went to the final size.&nbsp; I hit the freshly drilled areas with POR-15.<br /><br />To get at the rear to drill the holes required, you need to jack the rear end of the car up, remove both rear wheels and pull the wheelwell splash guards.<br />Using the rear backing plate as a template, I got the holes marked with a center punch and drilled my pilot holes.&nbsp; Depending on the position, it might be easier to drill from the bottom or the top.&nbsp; Once the final holes were drilled with the right sized drill bit, more POR-15 was applied to the holes.<br /><h4>Mounting:</h4>Per the instructions, I applied a generous amount of RTV to the mount plates where the holes were drilled and through the holes themselves before tightening everything down.<br />During the final tightening process, I also kept the doors of the car closed to make sure nothing was not aligned when the bar was tightened down.<br />Once it was tightened down at all 4 mount points, I reinstalled the rear wheel well splashguards and wheels to put the car back on the ground.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXxcPz4v-JQ/V-TRpLx2KjI/AAAAAAAAAVs/04ss81CdjUwCkrXehQp1JK2JLhn0eQ7MwCEw/s1600/20160904_122555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXxcPz4v-JQ/V-TRpLx2KjI/AAAAAAAAAVs/04ss81CdjUwCkrXehQp1JK2JLhn0eQ7MwCEw/s400/20160904_122555.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note Where The Wiring Is.&nbsp; That's Not Correct.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JbNlWjDoYY/V-TRpTvL-MI/AAAAAAAAAVs/HPKRADMOuy0UoTLM2W3KMDR5GjCWQ7XDgCEw/s1600/20160904_122610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JbNlWjDoYY/V-TRpTvL-MI/AAAAAAAAAVs/HPKRADMOuy0UoTLM2W3KMDR5GjCWQ7XDgCEw/s400/20160904_122610.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bolted Down With Black RTV</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xn2CmhsAU6k/V-TRpWujocI/AAAAAAAAAVs/MhH_pwePJJIV85qqPD2kZV0etUPgjxiwQCEw/s1600/20160904_132711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xn2CmhsAU6k/V-TRpWujocI/AAAAAAAAAVs/MhH_pwePJJIV85qqPD2kZV0etUPgjxiwQCEw/s400/20160904_132711.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bolted In!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RiKU3k0NHL8/V-TRp3ZALjI/AAAAAAAAAVs/osE_mT6aFts6xBGPIBjpPftyb_sgk1joACEw/s1600/20160904_160827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RiKU3k0NHL8/V-TRp3ZALjI/AAAAAAAAAVs/osE_mT6aFts6xBGPIBjpPftyb_sgk1joACEw/s400/20160904_160827.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trimmed Parcel Shelf Cover</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmOFn5C2N1g/V-TRqCyerBI/AAAAAAAAAVs/R42WtO74GBwrRVDFYcz_J8uuRZdZu8kzACEw/s1600/20160904_160838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmOFn5C2N1g/V-TRqCyerBI/AAAAAAAAAVs/R42WtO74GBwrRVDFYcz_J8uuRZdZu8kzACEw/s400/20160904_160838.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><h4>&nbsp;Finishing Up:</h4>The Seatbelt Guide gets relocated to tabs welded onto the rollbar.&nbsp; The original bolt that mounted the guide to the car, will get cut down and reinstalled on the tabs on both sides of the car.<br /><br />The trim pieces will need to be reinstalled after being cut and modified to fit.&nbsp; Blackbird provides a diagram that shows where to cut, and it's fairly simple to do.&nbsp; Just take your time.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lM0-4tSKQkM/V-TRqa5mmRI/AAAAAAAAAVs/0Y6gTs2E9iIzfn8E9Be3zAGSdbdw012owCEw/s1600/20160916_132821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lM0-4tSKQkM/V-TRqa5mmRI/AAAAAAAAAVs/0Y6gTs2E9iIzfn8E9Be3zAGSdbdw012owCEw/s400/20160916_132821.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trimmed Pieces</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CBcNSuzQFXE/V-TRqZN_kNI/AAAAAAAAAVs/Jn0kZgsIPKglBROR2xERwL9sWycow6eZwCEw/s1600/20160916_132831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CBcNSuzQFXE/V-TRqZN_kNI/AAAAAAAAAVs/Jn0kZgsIPKglBROR2xERwL9sWycow6eZwCEw/s400/20160916_132831.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side Trim</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Remember the wiring on the Driver's Side near the front mount plate?&nbsp; Turns out in order for the trim panel to fit properly, it needs to go behind the main hoop and not in front of it. Since the connector is rather large, and I wasn't about to unbolt the rollbar again, I had to de-pin the connector and route the wiring properly.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcjz7lAXvAQ/V-TRqMNi7oI/AAAAAAAAAVs/EJrqxe44froysQzqn_WWzSX4YqUa69MxwCEw/s1600/20160909_120036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcjz7lAXvAQ/V-TRqMNi7oI/AAAAAAAAAVs/EJrqxe44froysQzqn_WWzSX4YqUa69MxwCEw/s400/20160909_120036.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incorrect Routing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMa5ABRQsd0/V-TRqLO-UyI/AAAAAAAAAVs/5iHqHDRlqZg5SnKpodm-YUcuSBYnY9bxQCEw/s1600/20160909_122422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMa5ABRQsd0/V-TRqLO-UyI/AAAAAAAAAVs/5iHqHDRlqZg5SnKpodm-YUcuSBYnY9bxQCEw/s400/20160909_122422.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corrected Routing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />&nbsp;After that, it's merely putting everything back together.&nbsp; Trim pieces, soft top, seats and all the other stuff that got taken off.<br /><h2><br />Conclusion</h2>I still haven't driven the car with the rollbar installed, because I've got the bumpers and hood off to get repainted.&nbsp; But, I can already tell it's made a difference to the integrity of the car.<br /><br />My D/S Door has always been hard to close, requiring a very firm "slam" to get it to shut. It now requires far less force to close properly. &nbsp; Which isn't conclusive evidence to be sure, but I'm sure once I drive it, I'll be able to tell. <br /><br />I still need to install the SFI Padding and figure out some way to cover it for street driving.<br /><br />The bar is very close to my head, and buying a set of seats to get me lower in the car may have just taken precedence if I'm gonna drive this thing on the street.<br /><br />Overall, it wasn't that hard and I'm pretty pleased with the result, even if I wish I had done a few things differently.<br /><br />I'll get it right on the next one.<br /><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot.....</b>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-50979386840261004662016-09-19T03:36:00.002-05:002016-09-21T16:27:08.600-05:00In The Wild- Cars And Coffee Wichita 17 Sep 2016<h2>&nbsp; It's Too Early For This..</h2>Ever since I moved to the Wichita area, I've wanted to check out the local Cars and Coffee event.&nbsp; As I mentioned in a previous <a href="http://falconwerx.blogspot.com/2016/08/gojiragojira.html" target="_blank">post</a>, the Wichita area has a car scene, I just needed to get out there and discover it.<br /><br />The Cars and Coffee events are held in a few cities nationwide and consist of car enthusiasts getting together on a designated Saturday each month and showing off their cars.&nbsp; There's coffee available, along with the occasional food truck to keep everyone happy.&nbsp; The meets tend to be pretty large and are geared for the older crowd, and the more "exotic" cars.<br /><br />&nbsp; At the Dallas C&amp;C, it wasn't uncommon to see Lamborghini's, Ferrari's, Porsche's, Bentley's and even a few McLaren's sitting side by side with GTR's, EVO's, Gutted Hondas, Muscle Cars and Hot Rods.&nbsp; If it rolled on wheels and had an engine, there was something there for you to look at.&nbsp; It's a pretty popular event in D/FW and has grown as time passes.<br /><br /><h2>Yeah, But This Wichita</h2>Knowing Wichita was a much smaller city than the D/FW area, I was really interested to see what the area had to offer.<br /><br />While the size of the event wasn't as big as what I've seen before, the selection of cars were more than satisfying.&nbsp; Truly something for everyone.<br /><br /><h2>Fanboying, Sooo Hard!</h2>While I love pretty much anything with wheels, I was primarily looking for Miatas, some Old School RWD Japanese rides and anything Mitsubishi or DSM.&nbsp; I was soon rewarded with a&nbsp; <b>VERY </b>clean 97/98 Eagle Talon TSi/AWD.<br /><br /><b>*Soapbox Time*</b> <br /><i>For some reason, some Talon owners feel the need to change out certain unique parts on the Talon to make it look more like an Eclipse.&nbsp; Swapping out the Front and Rear Bumper, ground effects, tailights and&nbsp; wing for Eclipse pieces is a common practice and a damned shame.&nbsp; </i><br /><br /><i>These cars look different for a reason, with the Talon wearing a much more aggressive look. Presumably to appeal to male drivers.&nbsp; Not saying the 2G Eclipse is a bad looking car, because it isn't.&nbsp; I'm just saying if I wanted to drive a Eclipse, I'd just go buy one and avoid butchering a Talon.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i><br /><b>&nbsp;*End Soapbox*</b> <br /><br />Fortunately, the owner of this car kept everything original.&nbsp; The car still wore great looking paint, all the stock body panels in place along with the very aggressive front and rear bumper setup and the "Jetsons" wing on the trunk unique to the 97-98 Talons.<br /><br />Motegi Trak-Lite Wheels, some sticky tires, a stealthy blacked out Front Mount Intercooler and a set of Wilwood brakes on the front end of the car, seemed to show that this guy had some well thought out mods on the car.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_101814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_101814.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love The Color On This</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_101850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_101850.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Jetsons" Wing And Strakes On The Side</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_101948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_101948.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Blacked Out Greddy 2G FMIC With Factory Fogs Retained</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_101934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_101934.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motegi Trak Lites and Willwoods</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_104010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_104010.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4G63 Power!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></h2>I got to talk to the owner of this car for a bit, and was kind of surprised to find out the owner, was older than I was and owned a shop in Wichita, <a href="http://www.autobahnpower.com/" target="_blank">Autobhan Power.&nbsp;</a><br /><br />The car was his personal car and set up primarily for road racing out at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, with a few additional mods for more power.&nbsp; I was impressed because these cars are generally modified to go fast in a straight line, and it was refreshing to see someone going a different way for once.<br /><br />In addition to the mods easily spotted, I saw that he had replaced the original leather seats in front with a set of reclining Recaro seats.&nbsp; The engine had a Turbonetics exhaust manifold, with a Hahn Racecraft Super 20G, thicker Koyo Radiator, AEM Fuel Rail, Dejon Power Intake, K&amp;N FIPK and Greddy Intercooler Piping and BOV.<br /><br />It looked pretty much like a car that had been modded when new and just left alone afterwards. Almost like seeing a time capsule from the late 90's.&nbsp; Unfortunately, I never got to ask him what he used for engine management on the car.<br /><br />Seeing this, made me miss my DSM days.&nbsp; One of these days, I will own a 97-98 Talon TSi/AWD.&nbsp; I just need to find a good deal on one, and have a place to put it.&nbsp; <b>*sigh*</b> <br /><br /><h2>Other Cars</h2>After getting over the shock of seeing a <b>"survivor"</b> 2G AWD Talon, I checked out the rest of the cars.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095155.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black On Black 6 Speed GTO.&nbsp; Just Like The One I Used To Own</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095127.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Older Saab Sonnett</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095110.jpg" height="225" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Think This Is The First One I've Ever Seen</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_094928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_094928.jpg" height="225" width="400" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095339.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A "Tired" NA Miata</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095355.jpg" height="225" width="400" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095248.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Roadster Love</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095316.jpg" height="225" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MR-2</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">&nbsp;<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095559.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean Little BMW</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095532.jpg" height="225" width="400" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_095726.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speed Buggy!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100231.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean Fiero</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100220.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100307.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100146.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lotus </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100200.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Want These Seats For My Miata</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100509.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Remember Almost Killing Myself In One OF These Things</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100644.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still A Good Looking Car</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100657.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That Interior Though</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_100617.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zombie Outbreak Command Post?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_101651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/Cars%20And%20Coffee%20Wichita/17%20Sep%202016/20160917_101651.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Think This Is A 71 Corolla.&nbsp; Love It!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Well Played Wichita</h2>Well this was my first C&amp;C event for Wichita and hopefully it won't be the last.&nbsp; It's good to get out, see some cars and talk to people as well.&nbsp; Can't wait for the next one.<br /><br /><br />Until Then,<br /><b>Alpha, Mike Foxtrot...</b>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-51226993045880868252016-09-17T01:07:00.002-05:002016-09-21T16:28:27.704-05:00The Turtle Gets Shelled<h2>Soft Tops...Bah!&nbsp; </h2>Some people buy a Miata specifically because you can easily drop the top for the open air driving experience.&nbsp; I'm one of the few Miata owners who could actually care less about it being a convertible, and actually see the Soft Top as kind of a hindrance for the car.<br /><br />As a convertible, the Miata chassis is kind of "sloppy."&nbsp; With about 3/4's of the roof structure being replaced with a metal frame and a canvas or vinyl covering, the factory Soft Top offers little in the area of protection from thieves or support to the car.&nbsp; Also at highway speeds, the wind noise can be quite irritating as well.<br /><br />I bought the car to enhance it's performance and occasionally "drive it in anger" on the track but it's a street car for the most part.&nbsp; A Hard Top would serve to help stiffen the car up a bit, offer better protection from the elements, make it more pleasant to drive and look a lot better.<br /><br />I wanted to retain the Soft Top in case I ever needed to pull the Hard Top off, or got a wild hair and wanted to take it out as a convertible.&nbsp; So, I decided to keep an eye out for a Hard Top while the car was off the road to fix the <a href="http://falconwerx.blogspot.com/2016/09/initial-miata-maintenance-time.html" target="_blank">Oil Pan</a> .<br /><br /><h2>Hello Craigslist My Old Friend..</h2>Surprisingly, I was able to find a hardtop available in the local area off of Craigslist. It was located about 3miles from my apartment and I headed over to check it out, before it got snagged up by someone else.<br /><br />&nbsp; It was a OEM Mazda hard top from a early Miata, so it didn't have a defroster.&nbsp; It wasn't perfect, with some slight damage to the edges in some spot with faded red paint.&nbsp; I made an offer and the seller accepted.&nbsp; He helped me load it into the Raider, and I was off with my new prize.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BsD5wNJSJmU/V9zQNIYi9cI/AAAAAAAAASA/BQ06hg9y5xseGka6WeGufRa0As0g6ySwgCLcB/s1600/20160211_174400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BsD5wNJSJmU/V9zQNIYi9cI/AAAAAAAAASA/BQ06hg9y5xseGka6WeGufRa0As0g6ySwgCLcB/s320/20160211_174400.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucky Find</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I still needed the side striker plates to completely mount the hardtop, so I placed an order for them from a dealership online.&nbsp; The car had a set of "Frankenstein Bolts" from a previous hard top install, so I was able to throw it on the car and see what it looked like.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HaUoSxW_I4Y/V9zQODV4GaI/AAAAAAAAASQ/rzhAklHwZ2Y1zLlE7uCi-x_HOODwiYlewCEw/s1600/20160218_180502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HaUoSxW_I4Y/V9zQODV4GaI/AAAAAAAAASQ/rzhAklHwZ2Y1zLlE7uCi-x_HOODwiYlewCEw/s320/20160218_180502.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xnQihJTYYY/V9zQOHTMVhI/AAAAAAAAASM/hPjPl0lrkm0UlhP8GerxulllZX4_lEh5wCEw/s1600/20160218_180515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xnQihJTYYY/V9zQOHTMVhI/AAAAAAAAASM/hPjPl0lrkm0UlhP8GerxulllZX4_lEh5wCEw/s320/20160218_180515.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1hukYNhM9P8/V9zQOaFh85I/AAAAAAAAASU/pk6dvVZM2FQtDovpd6EhwEbzKD9iTOWwACEw/s1600/20160218_180534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1hukYNhM9P8/V9zQOaFh85I/AAAAAAAAASU/pk6dvVZM2FQtDovpd6EhwEbzKD9iTOWwACEw/s320/20160218_180534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1AY9pDGLVKQ/V9zQPatNUWI/AAAAAAAAASk/iOWSbQQiP-oypXnHv1fmNIzbFyGx0adZgCEw/s1600/20160406_173509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1AY9pDGLVKQ/V9zQPatNUWI/AAAAAAAAASk/iOWSbQQiP-oypXnHv1fmNIzbFyGx0adZgCEw/s320/20160406_173509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6INlCOYmV0/V9zQNgTdxpI/AAAAAAAAASE/FAy6iQQHG64KKfOSRsHH0XUDykN5F64zgCEw/s1600/20160218_180439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6INlCOYmV0/V9zQNgTdxpI/AAAAAAAAASE/FAy6iQQHG64KKfOSRsHH0XUDykN5F64zgCEw/s320/20160218_180439.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red And Green...Not A Good Combination</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h2>Two Things That Don't Go Great Together</h2>Obviously, the Green/Red combo was, pretty garish.&nbsp; A buddy at work told me he had a friend who could paint the top for me at a decent price, and repair the damage to the edges.&nbsp; I drove the car out to his place, and left the top with him for a few weeks.&nbsp; It took awhile because he was doing it as a favor, and for FAR less than what a few shops in the area wanted to charge.<br /><br />Take your time man, I can wait.<br /><br /><h2>Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch</h2>With the hardtop off, I could deal with a few other things that needed to be taken care of.&nbsp; One of the "Frankenstein Bolts" was loose, the power antenna had gotten bent due to a mishap with my garage door and the Bose Head Unit needed to be replaced.<br /><br /><h2>Revenge Of Frankenstein</h2>The loose "Frankenstein Bolt" was due to a broken captured nut on the driver's side.&nbsp; The bolt wasn't threaded in fully and was spinning in place.&nbsp; Using a ratchet and universal joint on a socket, I was able to hold the nut in place and unscrew the bolt.&nbsp; Easy.<br /><br />The passenger side?&nbsp; Not so easy.&nbsp; The bolt seized up on the stud, and after a fight was removed.&nbsp; The stud seized in the nut and was pretty much destroyed in the process of removal.&nbsp; I wound up breaking the captured nut under the bolt, and everything dropped free.&nbsp; Not my proudest moment, but it worked.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHZRyGudhIg/V9zQPa_bHUI/AAAAAAAAATA/mNIWd76EIe4A8Z9MrfeDR30X8V3IQoy2QCEw/s1600/20160530_232950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHZRyGudhIg/V9zQPa_bHUI/AAAAAAAAATA/mNIWd76EIe4A8Z9MrfeDR30X8V3IQoy2QCEw/s320/20160530_232950.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screw You.&nbsp; I Win.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />I ordered a replacement set of bolts, and while I waited for them to arrive, I took the opportunity to paint the trim plates under the bolts with special tinted paint designed to smoke chrome trim and wheels.&nbsp; The effect I got was a kind of "Piano Black" which was far more attractive than the anodized Gold finish that it came with.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uD2smbpxUx0/V9zQPSvGEmI/AAAAAAAAATA/w-Wl7MsEUos8MJk6QgpvXEIueg5_0IRMACEw/s1600/20160602_131959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uD2smbpxUx0/V9zQPSvGEmI/AAAAAAAAATA/w-Wl7MsEUos8MJk6QgpvXEIueg5_0IRMACEw/s320/20160602_131959.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F8pnBfRheY/V9zQPtwW2EI/AAAAAAAAATA/6RTaFgftPj0swK6hojek-TNB7HoP1v3IACEw/s1600/20160602_132007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F8pnBfRheY/V9zQPtwW2EI/AAAAAAAAATA/6RTaFgftPj0swK6hojek-TNB7HoP1v3IACEw/s320/20160602_132007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After the new bolts and studs arrived, I bought a set of nuts with the proper thread and installed everything, in preparation for the repainted hardtop.<br /><h2><br />Radio Ga Ga</h2>Took care of a few other things while the hardtop was being painted.&nbsp; I installed a JVC Bluetooth head unit to replace the factory BOSE unit that came with the car.&nbsp; I used a <a href="http://www.crutchfield.com/p_142C4MA02/Scosche-C4MA02-Wiring-Interface.html?search=142C4MA02&amp;tp=3486" target="_blank">Scosche C4MA02</a> to convert the speaker level output of the aftermarket head unit to a line level signal that the factory BOSE amplifier could use.<br /><br />Since my Miata only uses two speakers, I also de-pinned a unused lead from the adapter to act as a 12V trigger wire for the factory amplifier.&nbsp; This wire was soldered to the 12V power antenna wire coming off the aftermarket head unit harness and was placed in the Scosche adapter plug to mate up with the Light Green Wire with a Black Stripe on the factory radio plug.&nbsp; This is the trigger wire for the factory amp.&nbsp; With this setup, your power antenna and the Bose amplifier should switch on whenever you power the head unit up.<br /><br />Full details are available at this link:&nbsp; <a href="http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=272802" target="_blank">Bose Amp/Aftermarket Head Unit </a><br /><br />Of course, I did all this work before I destroyed the power antenna mast backing out of the garage with the door partially down.<br /><br />Figures.<br /><br />Since a broken power antenna mast is no bueno, I replaced the base with a new non power assembly.&nbsp; To clean up the look a bit, I installed a shorty aluminum mast and painted the trim ring for the base to give it a piano black look as well. The radio reception isn't the greatest, but I rarely listen to the radio anyway, relying on Pandora, CD's or music on a USB drive.<br /><br /><h2>It's Done!</h2>Got a call, saying the hardtop was ready.&nbsp; Drove the Miata to pick it up and pay the guy.&nbsp; I think he did a good job.&nbsp; And for a <b>LOT</b> less than what I was quoted at a body shop.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jq2EYsw1aHY/V9zQQOEK5QI/AAAAAAAAATA/wWZ7Knd_EB89Otx1ZIyyDViDAaOOqYGxQCEw/s1600/20160626_143626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jq2EYsw1aHY/V9zQQOEK5QI/AAAAAAAAATA/wWZ7Knd_EB89Otx1ZIyyDViDAaOOqYGxQCEw/s320/20160626_143626.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is This The Same Top?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1fKGDFDp8PI/V9zQQUmEB2I/AAAAAAAAATA/HDyC4BoSVg8wilMlJ6DNlcuCOC4TB_kMwCEw/s1600/20160626_150414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1fKGDFDp8PI/V9zQQUmEB2I/AAAAAAAAATA/HDyC4BoSVg8wilMlJ6DNlcuCOC4TB_kMwCEw/s320/20160626_150414.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shiny Top, Dirty Car</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I was pretty pleased with the work, and talked to him about doing the hood and bumpers for me as well, in a few weeks.&nbsp; I couldn't believe it was the same top.&nbsp; I was so stoked, I decided to wash the car and snap another picture of the car.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62PhfPD9nDk/V9zQRN0Pc9I/AAAAAAAAATA/MWxeS9dJLB0zYi4Tp15Mv7FKyxMh6g5FgCEw/s1600/20160626_160409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62PhfPD9nDk/V9zQRN0Pc9I/AAAAAAAAATA/MWxeS9dJLB0zYi4Tp15Mv7FKyxMh6g5FgCEw/s320/20160626_160409.jpg" width="320" />&nbsp;</a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squeaky Clean</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The car is a lot more civilized to drive now.&nbsp; Much quieter at highway speeds, looks a ton better and feels much more secure with an actual structural piece tying the vehicle structure together.<br /><br /><i>Now If I Could Just Get It To Stop Leaking When I Wash It...</i><br /><b><br /></b><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot.....</b><br /><br /><br /><br />Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-1048941240859033622016-09-16T03:05:00.002-05:002016-09-21T16:29:33.608-05:00Loud Noises!<h2>Craigslist Fix</h2>I'm a Craigslist Junkie.<br /><br />&nbsp; I love hitting the site up and looking for deals for my cars.&nbsp; Sometimes you get lucky and find a smoking deal, and sometimes you find something that you REALLY want, but don't have the room, time or money to buy.&nbsp; So you have to pass on it, and that REALLY sucks.<br /><h2>Hello, What's This?</h2>One night doing my usual Craigslist crawl, I spotted a pretty good deal for the Miata.&nbsp; Someone had a 99-00 Racing Beat "Cold Air" Intake setup for $100. It included a brand new Hardware Kit, the Intake Housing, a recently Cleaned and Oiled Filter, along with a "custom" Aluminum Crossover Tube.&nbsp; It seemed like a good deal, so I emailed the seller.&nbsp; We set up a time and I asked for his address, which he gave.&nbsp; I checked on the location...and it was in Kansas City.<br /><br /><b>Bummer.&nbsp;</b><br /><br />Living in the D/FW Metroplex had spoiled me quite a bit with the parts selection available.&nbsp; If I wanted this thing, I was going to need to drive three hours.<br /><br />Well, I've done stupider things before.&nbsp; Let's go!<br /><br /><h2>Roadtrip!&nbsp;</h2>The Miata was down due to the whole great <a href="http://falconwerx.blogspot.com/2016/09/initial-miata-maintenance-time.html" target="_blank">Oil Pan Debacle</a>, so I decided to take the TDI out for the trip.&nbsp; Checked it over, fueled up and headed out.&nbsp; After about three hours or so of "scenic" Kansas roads, I met up with the seller at his job, outside Kansas City.<br /><br />He had a really clean white or silver NB, and I got to check it out before I left.&nbsp; He loaded everything up in the Golf&nbsp; after I checked everything over and I got ready to head back to Wichita.<br /><br /><h2>Not So Shiny Intake</h2>I unboxed everything and did a quick inventory and got a better look at what I bought.&nbsp; The Crossover Tube looked like it could be used with my car with a few mods, and the filter and hardware kit were in great shape.&nbsp; The cast aluminum Intake Housing however, had some surface corrosion.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rxJxtyrDcKo/V9ukLEufKPI/AAAAAAAAARg/mkZdthCPercadqJjaj6M2RuUlIsBz7B6ACEw/s1600/20160515_144048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rxJxtyrDcKo/V9ukLEufKPI/AAAAAAAAARg/mkZdthCPercadqJjaj6M2RuUlIsBz7B6ACEw/s320/20160515_144048.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just A Little Cruddy</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Time To Make The Doughnuts</h2>I hit the outer surface of the Intake Housing with a wire wheel on a electric drill motor.&nbsp; I used a piece of wood in my vise to hold the housing in place while I cleaned off as much crud as I could with the drill and wire wheel.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3B-ShfTrqk/V9ukLXIVqLI/AAAAAAAAARk/CsuAbkEXLr4QlfG3UCF-KMLFEWSRxGrAwCEw/s1600/20160516_111319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3B-ShfTrqk/V9ukLXIVqLI/AAAAAAAAARk/CsuAbkEXLr4QlfG3UCF-KMLFEWSRxGrAwCEw/s320/20160516_111319.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey...It Works</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After the wire wheel treatment, I hit the hard to reach areas with some 400 Grit Sandpaper soaked in WD40.&nbsp; I also went over the whole surface with some 800 Grit Sandpaper and WD40 as well to try and clean it up as mush as possible.<br /><br />Hit it with some brake cleaner and used some Mothers Aluminum Polish, applied with a old T-Shirt, and started working the polish onto the metal.&nbsp; A Craftsman Buffing wheel mounted in the same electric drill was used to try and buff it out.&nbsp; It wasn't perfect, but I think it looks a lot better than it did when I got it.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuxszhAQmjk/V9ukLU1F4VI/AAAAAAAAARo/Yrzvfv252hQ0BE99tDJlBs7I6BBO2TJ-gCEw/s1600/20160515_193213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuxszhAQmjk/V9ukLU1F4VI/AAAAAAAAARo/Yrzvfv252hQ0BE99tDJlBs7I6BBO2TJ-gCEw/s320/20160515_193213.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shiny</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h2>Cry Havoc And Let Slip The Hamsters of War!</h2>I installed the intake according to the instructions and I'm pretty happy with it.&nbsp; I honestly can't tell if it added any actual power, but I love the way this thing sounds at WOT.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/EWFzV.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/EWFzV.gif" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />In the old days, I was more interested in parts that made power rather than pretty things for the engine bay. &nbsp; So the fact that I like this Intake is kind of amusing to me.&nbsp; I would eventually like to get the RB Carbon Fiber Intake Cover for this and I have plans to modify the "custom" Aluminum Crossover Tube that I got with this intake.<br /><br />I'm not sure if I want to powder coat or ceramic coat the Intake Housing and Crossover Tube once I get everything situated.<br /><br />Eh, I'll Figure It Out...<br /><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot.... </b><br />&nbsp; <br /><br /><h2>&nbsp; </h2><h2></h2>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-46728638814658264232016-09-14T19:17:00.002-05:002016-09-15T02:34:17.354-05:00Roadblocks<h2>Well That Wasn't Supposed To Happen</h2>In the course of working on a car, sometimes progress on a project can be delayed or can come to a grinding and screeching halt, for reasons that are beyond your control. It happens to everyone and it happened to me on Sunday night.<br /><br />I was running at night with my <a href="http://reinventingcrazybeautiful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">GF</a> , because she's one of those crazy people who voluntarily run long distances for fun. &nbsp; She's worried that one night she might get kidnapped while running.&nbsp; Valid reason, especially in this day of age.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp; However, I reminded her that if that ever happened, the moment she opened her mouth and started yelling at them, they would probably put her right back where they found her.<br /><br />She didn't think that was funny.&nbsp; I got the death glare, and had to go running anyway.<br /><br /><b>Damn.</b><br /><br />So we start to run on some side streets near her house.&nbsp; Some of the streets are old school cobblestone and kind of rough in some spots.&nbsp; I'm running, dicking around with my cell phone,&nbsp; trying to get my "Map My Run" App working, when I "Took A Bad Step."<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-psEw1UcO_Gs/V9nkM1jmJcI/AAAAAAAAARQ/InXm7U302F8VJERigq9Ho6biaMv3WPP2wCLcB/s1600/c3po-and-luke-and-obi-wan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-psEw1UcO_Gs/V9nkM1jmJcI/AAAAAAAAARQ/InXm7U302F8VJERigq9Ho6biaMv3WPP2wCLcB/s320/c3po-and-luke-and-obi-wan.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not The Ankle, But You Get The Idea</td></tr></tbody></table><br />My foot went down on a uneven piece of the street, my ankle rolled <b>(Ow, That Hurts!</b><b>)</b>, and gravity and inertia had their way with me.<br /><br />&nbsp; I went down in a spectacular fashion, the cellphone went skidding across the street, and I wound up with a rather bruised and very swollen ankle, some nice road rash and some cuts to go with it.<br /><br />She ran up and told me "She wasn't impressed" and said I'd "do anything to get out of running."&nbsp; I was then informed I should crawl out of the roadway, before I got my ass run over.<br /><br /><b>Thanks Sweetie!</b><br /><br />Went to the doctor, and was diagnosed with a "Moderate to Severe Ankle Sprain", along with a possible hairline fracture.<br /><br /><b>Awesome.</b><br /><br />So I'm off work for two weeks now with orders to rest, and not put weight on the ankle.&nbsp; (<i>Instructions, I will probably disregard, because I'm a guy and that's what we do.</i>)&nbsp; I also get to wear this really cool looking "Iron Man" style orthopedic boot while I hobble everywhere I go for awhile.<br /><br /><b>Fantastic.</b> <br /><h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2><h2>Time Off Is Good, Right? </h2><br />Time off is good, but better without a bum ankle.<br /><br />Unfortunately this means that working on the Miata to get it ready for&nbsp; Driver's Edge at&nbsp; Motorsport Ranch in October, may have hit a snag.&nbsp; I have time off from work, but I'm supposed to be laid up and recuperating, not wrenching on the car.<br /><br />I have the car pretty much ready to go back together as far as the rollbar install goes.&nbsp; Just needs the interior trim panels modified to clear the bar and reinstalled, also need a "foamectomy" for the Driver's Seat and to reinstall the seats.<br /><br />The hood and the front and rear bumpers have been painted and need to be picked up and reinstalled as well.<br /><br />So, getting all this done before Oct 15 can be done, I just might be pushing it a bit.&nbsp; Hopefully I can bounce back from this pretty quick.<br /><br />I have a followup appointment with the doctor in two weeks.&nbsp; Hopefully he'll release me to go back to work and I can get back to wrenching on the car as well to get her ready.<br /><br />Oh and one more thing..... <br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Running Is Stupid.</b></span></i><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">That Is All,</span><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: small;">Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot....&nbsp;</span></b> Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-9165835634312685542016-09-10T23:55:00.001-05:002016-09-11T00:18:22.277-05:00Oil Pan Blues<i>&nbsp; A lot of these Miata posts are about things that already happened, as I started this blog about 9 months after I bought the car.&nbsp; I'm just trying to get everything I did to the car written down here and get it caught up to where it's at now.&nbsp; Apologies if this confuses anyone.&nbsp; -M</i><br /><br /><h2>Let's See What We Have Here</h2>Over the years of buying used cars<i> </i>mess around with<b><i>, </i></b>I've noticed that every vehicle has a different story.&nbsp; From someone's aborted "Project Car", some shoddily maintained "Daily Drivers" and a few outright "Money Pits", I've learned to approach each new purchase as a possible "Worst Case Scenario."&nbsp; If it turns out to be a bad car, then I'm not surprised.&nbsp; If it turns out to be OK, then, "Yay, me."&nbsp; I lucked out and won't get too screwed on this one.<br /><br />&nbsp; Thus as I started to tear into the Miata, I wondered, "What have I gotten myself into this time?"<br /><br />When I bought the car, I had a feeling that the car might not be as nice as I thought.&nbsp; The guy I got it from said that it was<i> "One of a few that he had"</i> and that it was <i>"Mostly his Daily Driver"</i>.<br /><br />Most guys who own multiple Miatas either race them, or buy them to flip them.&nbsp; The PO provided a printout of an Excel spreadsheet that detailed the maintenance the car had received since he bought it about 30K miles ago, so it shouldn't have been a flip car.&nbsp; However, it was obvious that it had been "shined up" a bit for the sale, so I was thinking possible ex autocross car.&nbsp; Who knows?&nbsp; All I knew aside from the wheels needing to be re balanced, it ran great.&nbsp;<br /><br />So, I decided to not do my usual "Post Purchase Maintenance Procedure" until after I had relocated to Wichita from Texas.<br /><br /><h2>PPMP?</h2>I usually do the following after I buy a used car, even if the PO owner provides documentation, or swears up and down that "It's already been taken care of.&nbsp; Don't worry." PPMP is a lot nicer than saying, "Unf**king The Car", which is what me and my old DSM buddies used to call the process.&nbsp; It's imperfect, but it usually works.<br /><br />Here's What Usually Happens:&nbsp; <br /><br />1.&nbsp; Oil/Filter Change<br />2.&nbsp; Timing Belt/Water Pump Replacement<br />3.&nbsp; Replace Any Seals/Gaskets Exposed By Timing Belt/WP Job<br />4.&nbsp; New Plugs/Wires<br />5.&nbsp; Tranny/Differential Fluid Change<br />6.&nbsp; Fuel Injector Cleaner/Filter<br />7.&nbsp; Any Other Model Specific Maintenance That Might Be Needed<br />8.&nbsp; Visually Inspect Underside and Exterior Of Vehicle For Any Obvious Damage Or Issues<br /><br />&nbsp; I trusted the PO of my first Talon TSi/AWD back in 1997, and it almost bit me in the ass with a broken balance shaft belt.&nbsp; I lucked out and the main timing belt didn't get taken out by the broken balance shaft belt lying in the bottom of the timing cover, but it could have been a very expensive mistake.&nbsp; Never again!<br /><br /><h2>Miata Mysteries Revealed </h2>The engine in the Miata is a "Non Interference" design, so I wasn't too worried about the Timing Belt as the PO had it changed approximately 29K miles ago according to his spreadsheet.&nbsp; I bought the parts to do the job, but elected to wait a few weeks to do it, so that I could tackle everything else in one fell swoop.<br /><br />&nbsp; I did want to get the oil changed right away, so I jacked the car up and crawled under it to check out the chassis and underside of the car.&nbsp; Like I suspected, this was a generally clean, and rust free car.&nbsp; There was evidence of oil leaking from some seals in the front of the engine, but otherwise very clean and tight.&nbsp; No scrape marks on the front subframe, braces or lower control arms revealed that the car hadn't been excessively lowered, which was a very good sign that the whole "Daily Driver" claim was legitimate.<br /><h2>What Fresh Hell Is This?</h2>I grabbed a drain pan to start the oil change process, when I noticed something odd about the drian plug that was installed.<br /><br />&nbsp; It had no hex head for a wrench, or Allen Key, just a weird shaped lip on a very large metal washer that looked like a pair of pliers could grab onto it to loosen it.<br /><br /><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Aww Crap."</span>&nbsp;</span></b></i><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The threads in the oil pan for the drain bolt had stripped out, and the PO (or whoever did his oil changes) opted to use a <i>"Temporary Repair Plug" </i>to <i>"fix" </i>the problem.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Evidently this is a common issue with the aluminum Miata oil pan and <i>"enthusiastic"</i> mechanics, who like to torque things way too tight.</span></span><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unacceptable.</span></span></b><br /><h2><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's Overthink This, Shall We?</span></span></span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;&nbsp; So, of course since I'm a Aircraft Mechanic by trade, I had to go and over think the whole thing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The plug wasn't leaking, and had been on the car for who knows how long.&nbsp; Why screw with it?&nbsp; If I had to, I could use the <a href="http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--manual-oil-extractor-6-5l--11047123?cm_mmc=PS-_-Google-_-Shopping_PLAs-_-11047123&amp;adpos=1o8&amp;creative=65739116644&amp;device=c&amp;matchtype=&amp;network=g&amp;gclid=Cj0KEQjw3s6-BRC3kKL_86XDvq4BEiQAAUqtZ2Htf0aqX2LHx8ZpuNMb8XM6mNcInI2SxkENTs1SyH8aAl7c8P8HAQ" target="_blank">Vacuum Oil Removal Pump</a> I have for my VW TDI to get the oil out and not <b>EVER</b> have to deal with draining the oil out.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nah.&nbsp; Let's do it the hard way, because you're an Anal Retentive Asshole with a Mild OCD Complex.</span></span></span></span></i><br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sure.&nbsp; Why not? </span></span></span></span></i><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Option 1</b>,&nbsp; was to replace the oil pan with a new or used unit.&nbsp; I was all for this idea until I found out that in order to install a new oil pan, the engine needed to be removed from the car or the front subframe needed to be dropped.&nbsp; Nope.&nbsp; Not gonna do that.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Option 2</b>, involved a new oversized drain plug with special threaded flutes to cut new threads into the pan.&nbsp; Supposedly these were only supposed to be a temporary fix as well, even though it offered a bit more peace of mind than a thin rubber gasketed disc attached with a piece of threaded rod and a toggle bolt on one end.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pass.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Option 3</b>, would be to repair the threads on the fragile aluminum oil pan with a insert repair kit, or thread it for an oversized drain plug.&nbsp; Doing some research on the forums led me to discover that the majority of folks used a <a href="http://www.timesert.com/html/drainplug.html" target="_blank">TimeSert Drain Plug Repair Kit</a>.&nbsp; It was kind of expensive, but it seemed like the best way to go in my situation. &nbsp; Placed an order, and after a small mixup with my shipping address, received the kit in about a week and a half or so.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I chose to use the 1415A kit on my car, and found that it wasn't that hard to even under the car with common hand tools.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><h2><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not Nervous About This At All</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, armed with my new repair kit, the required tools and plenty of axle grease to catch any metal shavings, I went ahead and removed my <i>"temporary"</i> oil drain plug to start the process.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RTC8YAZXpkI/V9TfOIbfBwI/AAAAAAAAAQg/dmPdiQ_fQsklQ3dGNX40N-OO3jwRAzcnwCLcB/s1600/20160322_181032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RTC8YAZXpkI/V9TfOIbfBwI/AAAAAAAAAQg/dmPdiQ_fQsklQ3dGNX40N-OO3jwRAzcnwCLcB/s320/20160322_181032.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AutoZone Parts and Red RTV.&nbsp; Two Things That Don't Go Together&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table>I used the <a href="http://www.timesert.com/html/oilpan.pdf" target="_blank">instructions</a> from the site along with plenty of grease and lubricant for the threads while using the tap, counter bore and drill.&nbsp; The nice thing about the tools was that they didn't require any special tap handles or holders for the items.&nbsp; A novice mechanic could easily complete this repair with common tools.<br /><br />&nbsp; I made sure to clean the drain hole and flushed out as much trash with about two quarts of cheap oil before again cleaning the repaired threads and the repair insert with plenty of brake cleaner. &nbsp; I applied a liberal amount of <b>RED</b> LocTite to the insert and threaded it in per the instructions and locked it in place with the supplied tool.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6YtmT9Bp3E/V9ThUPbkGqI/AAAAAAAAAQw/2B2_KUF6iFcyYSuS2tfL7HG86SNKGcFegCLcB/s1600/20160322_181004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6YtmT9Bp3E/V9ThUPbkGqI/AAAAAAAAAQw/2B2_KUF6iFcyYSuS2tfL7HG86SNKGcFegCLcB/s320/20160322_181004.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost Looks Like I Know What I'm Doing</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />&nbsp; I waited for three days to allow the LocTite to completely set <i>(Overkill, I know)</i>, before I installed a new Drain Plug into the pan.&nbsp; Changed the filter and filled the engine with fresh Synthetic Blend oil.&nbsp; Started her up to check for leaks, and everything appears to be working fine.<br /><h2>Conclusion</h2>While a bit more expensive than the other options available, this seems to be the best way to go if you have a stripped out oil pan drain.&nbsp; The TimeSert design seems to be a superior repair option than HeliCoil or other thread repair options.&nbsp; My threads were pretty hosed, so tapping it for an oversize drain plug could have been done, but I wanted the new plug to thread into a steel insert, rather than soft aluminum.&nbsp; The kit includes 4 extra inserts, so you may be able to recoup some cost for the kit by renting it out or performing repairs on the side.<br /><br />One forum user did report that after about a year, his TimeSert repair failed while he was removing the drain plug for an oil change.&nbsp; I plan on using my Oil Extractor to do oil changes in the Miata for the most part, to try not to push my luck with the repair.&nbsp; Despite this, I still think it's money well spent.<br /><br />Hopefully it'll hold up.<br /><br />I Guess We'll See...<br /><br /><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot.....</b><br /><br /><h2></h2><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span> </span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span> </span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></span><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></i>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-84719459858544926652016-09-09T03:13:00.001-05:002016-09-21T16:47:08.169-05:00"The Turtle"-My 99 Mazda Miata<h2>In The Beginning....</h2>&nbsp; After selling my <a href="http://falconwerx.blogspot.com/2016/09/how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-about-my.html" target="_blank">92 Galant VR-4</a> and having owned a never ending parade of DSM's,and other Mitsubishi based cars I was ready for something different.<br /><br />I wanted something that was, reliable,&nbsp; affordable to modify, had plenty of aftermarket and owner support and most importantly, it had to be fun to drive.<br /><br />A friend who of mine who owned a heavily modded DSM at one time, had picked up a 99 Miata and was using it as a Daily Driver and for High Performance Driving Events at Motorsports Ranch. He seemed to be having a good time with the car, and suggested I give a Miata a try.<br /><br />&nbsp;So despite all my other friends saying <b><i>"They're All Going To Laugh At You!"</i></b>, I started the hunt on the local forums and Craigslist for a car.<br /><br /><h2>The Game Is Afoot..</h2>&nbsp;My friend suggested I concentrate more on the NB cars rather than the NA models because of the improvements Mazda made to the engine and chassis with the 2nd Gen cars.&nbsp; I'm not a real fan of Pop Up headlights, and I liked how the NB2 looked like a scaled down version of a FD RX-7, so I didn't need too much convincing.&nbsp; Now I just had to find one in my price range.<br /><br />After searching for about a week, I eventually found a 1999 Emerald Mica 5 Speed with about 173K on the clock, from a older guy on Craigslist. He said he had a few Miatas, and that this one was supposedly his Daily Driver.<br /><br />Here are the pictures from the Craigslist ad:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t6Q-3gst998/V-L833qwuQI/AAAAAAAAATM/zGCCEEzCLmsqAPzPADROBm2I6J6D3WVugCLcB/s1600/00D0D_5sTQy2tq8Tk_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t6Q-3gst998/V-L833qwuQI/AAAAAAAAATM/zGCCEEzCLmsqAPzPADROBm2I6J6D3WVugCLcB/s400/00D0D_5sTQy2tq8Tk_600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodgrain?&nbsp; Yuck.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvGVaXLJ668/V-L84YfEq5I/AAAAAAAAATk/PKmBYKKYfzcN6qM8kjdvAKJFQPjCCwO_ACLcB/s1600/00e0e_8xc3YEH0fHy_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvGVaXLJ668/V-L84YfEq5I/AAAAAAAAATk/PKmBYKKYfzcN6qM8kjdvAKJFQPjCCwO_ACLcB/s400/00e0e_8xc3YEH0fHy_600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D/S Seat Is A Little Worn.&nbsp; To Be Expected.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NaN0syJ31mA/V-L83_j9OvI/AAAAAAAAATU/QO-i_1scISoHmvJOuZVXuXZ7IP572dZKQCLcB/s1600/00E0E_f5M14mjV459_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NaN0syJ31mA/V-L83_j9OvI/AAAAAAAAATU/QO-i_1scISoHmvJOuZVXuXZ7IP572dZKQCLcB/s400/00E0E_f5M14mjV459_600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Is What Convinced Me To Check It Out.&nbsp; Clean Engine Bay.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vtvbSiqaTMQ/V-L84VovufI/AAAAAAAAATo/zDZX3moD--Idzs2QyaFpaCOVrTVqzVwXQCLcB/s1600/00f0f_71Xfif4JxPx_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vtvbSiqaTMQ/V-L84VovufI/AAAAAAAAATo/zDZX3moD--Idzs2QyaFpaCOVrTVqzVwXQCLcB/s400/00f0f_71Xfif4JxPx_600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MK4FM4iiVqI/V-L84kzBwnI/AAAAAAAAATs/3riBAnb1o_QM59vux2GA6D8d6xH9OzMFwCLcB/s1600/00m0m_1gSKCjw0YfT_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MK4FM4iiVqI/V-L84kzBwnI/AAAAAAAAATs/3riBAnb1o_QM59vux2GA6D8d6xH9OzMFwCLcB/s400/00m0m_1gSKCjw0YfT_600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsOte4T5mso/V-L84nORlhI/AAAAAAAAATw/onUdS1eRH4k0SwH-7Z9BePO4NlZLPhASgCLcB/s1600/00m0m_cJVaFDOr5bw_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsOte4T5mso/V-L84nORlhI/AAAAAAAAATw/onUdS1eRH4k0SwH-7Z9BePO4NlZLPhASgCLcB/s400/00m0m_cJVaFDOr5bw_600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NY2AVyXwyJk/V-L835dszwI/AAAAAAAAATQ/jK6KcE7aGocvm86BhheRR0HnkzB1a1zswCLcB/s1600/00T0T_lEUmsNXyb9j_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NY2AVyXwyJk/V-L835dszwI/AAAAAAAAATQ/jK6KcE7aGocvm86BhheRR0HnkzB1a1zswCLcB/s400/00T0T_lEUmsNXyb9j_600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxLOnreCJGk/V-L84KRduNI/AAAAAAAAATY/ccouFqKdpXcjDIuKz2nLpCm-_Wk-CI6EQCLcB/s1600/00U0U_3aqvgF7qRck_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxLOnreCJGk/V-L84KRduNI/AAAAAAAAATY/ccouFqKdpXcjDIuKz2nLpCm-_Wk-CI6EQCLcB/s400/00U0U_3aqvgF7qRck_600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ZHSZUZHpAA/V-L84Cxeb8I/AAAAAAAAATc/29xcFWjL2R0JgHh41vEQJE9a8HmE25iggCLcB/s1600/00U0U_dSG17PdUiRa_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ZHSZUZHpAA/V-L84Cxeb8I/AAAAAAAAATc/29xcFWjL2R0JgHh41vEQJE9a8HmE25iggCLcB/s400/00U0U_dSG17PdUiRa_600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eAFX5LUBCd8/V-L84UxS-yI/AAAAAAAAATg/92s_cbCqw1UZsFF1mJIrRAi0OBI1hdgKgCLcB/s1600/00V0V_73SZKymafFr_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eAFX5LUBCd8/V-L84UxS-yI/AAAAAAAAATg/92s_cbCqw1UZsFF1mJIrRAi0OBI1hdgKgCLcB/s400/00V0V_73SZKymafFr_600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BaklbPuZ9nw/V-L84vfwqKI/AAAAAAAAAT0/vuh_OL35-4w5mcyQNVpHwn_NDd41QGvwQCLcB/s1600/00w0w_huLxCgw2fus_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BaklbPuZ9nw/V-L84vfwqKI/AAAAAAAAAT0/vuh_OL35-4w5mcyQNVpHwn_NDd41QGvwQCLcB/s400/00w0w_huLxCgw2fus_600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XiAAEyWnwAM/V-L8446PXpI/AAAAAAAAAT4/4ET6CT-UG3YJFlwFMgQW5xUIcLI_h0XuQCLcB/s1600/00y0y_dz2ArAmJlm0_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XiAAEyWnwAM/V-L8446PXpI/AAAAAAAAAT4/4ET6CT-UG3YJFlwFMgQW5xUIcLI_h0XuQCLcB/s400/00y0y_dz2ArAmJlm0_600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Made an appointment and had a buddy drive me to Downtown Dallas to go check this thing out.<br /><br /><h2>Initial Impression </h2><br />Aside from some minor door dings and a small dent in the rear D/S quarter panel, it looked fairly clean and well kept.&nbsp; It was Green which wasn't a deal killer to me, but I wasn't a real fan of the Tan Interior at the time.&nbsp; I would in fact grow to appreciate that it did in fact have this interior, but that was a bit later. Also it looked like it originally had a Tan top rather than the Black one installed.&nbsp; Eh, whatever.<br /><br />&nbsp;Engine bay looked very clean, no rust on the rockers, and the interior looked good as well besides a fairly worn driver's seat and steering wheel.&nbsp; This wasn't a big deal, as I planned on aftermarket seats in the future, but it was nice to know it had been taken care of.<br /><br />I took it for a test drive on the streets downtown and noticed that it drove very well, was responsive to throttle inputs and seemed to shift solidly.<br /><br />He was asking $3500 for it and I offered 3000, which he took after thinking about it for a few seconds. Afterwards, I paid the man and he signed the title over and handed me the keys.&nbsp; Neat!<br /><br />&nbsp; <i><b>I was now officially a Miata Owner.</b></i><br /><br /><h2><b>What's All This Then?</b></h2>Driving the car home through downtown traffic was fairly uneventful, until I got on the highway and got the car up to, oh around 65 mph or so.&nbsp; Veteran Miata owners can probably guess what happened next....as the car started to <b>SHAKE, </b>quite a bit. Enough to cause the steering wheel to seem like it was doing the "Humpty Dance" or something.<br /><b><br /></b><b>"Really?&nbsp; I just bought the stupid thing!"</b><br /><br />The shaking seemed to only occur in that speed range, so I opted to drop the speed down a bit and made it home to Arlington, where I snapped a picture of my new, shaky ride to text to my buddy.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDQgznwp3NQ/V9JlwIFRG2I/AAAAAAAAAPw/iDkIr_PGVWwVZPyMYA0cKk03AQy8kXYiwCLcB/s1600/20151125_134536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDQgznwp3NQ/V9JlwIFRG2I/AAAAAAAAAPw/iDkIr_PGVWwVZPyMYA0cKk03AQy8kXYiwCLcB/s320/20151125_134536.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Stock Miata.&nbsp; Go Figure.</td></tr></tbody></table><b>&nbsp;</b><i><b> </b></i><br /><h2>&nbsp;To The Internets!</h2>Wondering if the shaking at speed was a "thing" with Miatas, I started searching for answers on the various forums dedicated to the car.<br /><br />I soon found out the shaking was indeed a "thing" and that a simple wheel balance with a Hunter Road Force Balance machine, should straighten the issue out.&nbsp; I got this done a week later, and the shaking was pretty much a non issue afterwards.<br /><br />&nbsp;I also read up on the 99 Miatas and found quite a bit of<a href="http://www.miata.net/faq/99central.html" target="_blank"> info available specifically</a> for the 99 year cars.<br /><br />&nbsp; I found out that since my car had a Tan Leather Interior, it was equipped with the "Leather Package", which included the items from the "Popular Equipment Package" and the "Touring Package" as well.<br /><br /><b>"Let's see, 15 Inch Wheels, Power Door Locks, Mirrors, Wind Blocker, Cruise....Torsen Limited Slip Differential, Floor Mats...." (Wait, What?)</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A Torsen?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/PpOBGxOyRFGTpBulqgPPvA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9NTAwO2g9Mjgx/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/blogs/movie-news/e9a6c98d-6213-426b-b69a-19250fb999c3_McConaughey-Alright.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/PpOBGxOyRFGTpBulqgPPvA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9NTAwO2g9Mjgx/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/blogs/movie-news/e9a6c98d-6213-426b-b69a-19250fb999c3_McConaughey-Alright.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That Thing Have A Torsen In It?</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Needless to say, I was very happy to see that my car is <b>supposed</b> to be equipped with a Torsen unit for the rear end, but at this time I haven't been able to confirm it.&nbsp; Hopefully it didn't get swapped out for an open diff at some point its lifetime.&nbsp; One of these days, I'll pull the axles out and check the rear end and see if I see this:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.miata.net/garage/diffguide/99torsen-closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.miata.net/garage/diffguide/99torsen-closeup.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's Torsen Time!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.miata.net/garage/diffguide/index.html" target="_blank">Photo From: Miata Differential Spotters Guide</a></div><br />I still think the Black Interior looks better, but I guess a Tan Interior isn't that bad if I get a Torsen out of it.<br /><br /><h2>&nbsp;So, What Now?</h2>Shortly after I bough the car, I relocated to the Wichita area from Arlington, TX.&nbsp; I bought the car before I moved, because I wanted a clean rust free car, and I had a much better selection available in the DFW Metroplex.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTlE77Rx1mk/V9TmjOZI6qI/AAAAAAAAARA/qkIZB63aikgZnWE9QgopUZLiiNTWCoHYgCLcB/s1600/20160110_174645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTlE77Rx1mk/V9TmjOZI6qI/AAAAAAAAARA/qkIZB63aikgZnWE9QgopUZLiiNTWCoHYgCLcB/s320/20160110_174645.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MPy8NOX8hPY/V9JtB7nDXGI/AAAAAAAAAQA/L_TbFnsjIGgeGhdVx10D3fSYKg7TiH0lQCLcB/s1600/12540558_10205600056424591_3964813813202255268_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MPy8NOX8hPY/V9JtB7nDXGI/AAAAAAAAAQA/L_TbFnsjIGgeGhdVx10D3fSYKg7TiH0lQCLcB/s320/12540558_10205600056424591_3964813813202255268_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not Texas</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div>I also performed some much needed maintenance, and fixed a few things, that If I had known about them at the time, I would have tried to knock a few more bucks off the price.&nbsp; I'll detail all that in later posts on here, with more information and the gory details.<br /><br />The car doesn't look that much different besides a used hardtop that I had painted to match the car.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNMUzCoOc8o/V9JuZH1vsdI/AAAAAAAAAQI/IYN3YZZkWAU5NBg22uFyNakBzkvXGHlBQCLcB/s1600/20160406_173509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNMUzCoOc8o/V9JuZH1vsdI/AAAAAAAAAQI/IYN3YZZkWAU5NBg22uFyNakBzkvXGHlBQCLcB/s320/20160406_173509.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found A Used Hardtop In Wichita?&nbsp; Shock!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RsjmwWcEQs/V9JuZdjD57I/AAAAAAAAAQM/5KQFV8aQPpI9_C_SJF_KR7akN8R4C4-owCLcB/s1600/20160626_160409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RsjmwWcEQs/V9JuZdjD57I/AAAAAAAAAQM/5KQFV8aQPpI9_C_SJF_KR7akN8R4C4-owCLcB/s320/20160626_160409.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very Turtle-Like In Appearance, Hence The Name</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />&nbsp; Right now the car is down, to fix a few cosmetic issues and the the installation of a <a href="http://www.blackbirdfabworx.com/" target="_blank">Blackbird Fabworx Single Diagonal Rollbar</a> for my first HPDE at Motorsports Ranch in October with this car.<br /><br />&nbsp; Once I get everything buttoned up, I'll be sure to update further.<br /><br />Until Then,<br /><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot...</b><br /><br /><h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-12808920419284584272016-09-08T02:03:00.001-05:002016-09-21T16:45:26.502-05:00How I Learned To Stop Worrying About My Mitsubishi And Buy A Miata<h2>You Bought....That?</h2><i>(This Is Going To Take Awhile.&nbsp; Pack A Lunch)</i><br /><br />I am now a Miata owner.<br /><br />Words, I never thought I would ever have to utter out loud. <br /><br />Specifically, I have owned a 99 5 Speed Emerald Mica Green NB1 Miata, since Dec 2015.&nbsp; I admit, I never thought I would ever get around to owning one of these cars.&nbsp; I've entertained the thought more than once, based on the obvious love and admiration that the car seems to inspire in its owners, but I just couldn't pull the trigger and try one for many years.<br /><br />Too slow, too small and then there's the stigma attached to the car and it's owners. The last part didn't really bother me too much, as for about a year and a half I drove a Talon converted 97 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS-T, and trust me I got a lot of weird looks from people driving that "Stripper Mobile" around.<br /><br />So give me your best shot, thinly disguised contempt and weird looks about the car I drive.<br /><br />I can take them.<br /><br /><h2>So, Why No Miata?&nbsp; </h2>A lot of it had to do with my love affair with Turbocharged Mitsubishi vehicles , the Eclipse and especially it's "Bastard Dodge" Cousin, the Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-djTtZRabKdM/V9EIMSg4oDI/AAAAAAAAAN4/ZFvejbPeQkIOahhn7rA_vPqj25BKEiAFACLcB/s1600/chicksdigus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-djTtZRabKdM/V9EIMSg4oDI/AAAAAAAAAN4/ZFvejbPeQkIOahhn7rA_vPqj25BKEiAFACLcB/s400/chicksdigus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Wish They Really Did</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />&nbsp; You see from about 1997 to 2015, I had always owned a turbocharged Mitsubishi or DSM car of some type or another, in that time period.&nbsp; That's over 18 years of Talons, Eclipses, Lasers, Mirage Turbo GT's, a Mighty Max,&nbsp; Galant VR-4's, a 3000GT SL and even a Starion/Conquest thrown in for kicks.&nbsp; <i>&nbsp;</i><br /><i>(The Mighty Max and the 3000GT don't really count because they weren't turbocharged. Shh.)</i><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wihyUTiYJBg/V9EJDJn-50I/AAAAAAAAAN8/i485x7LaREMLg1_xCSd0X_02MrG4BF7AQCLcB/s1600/dsmmeet032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wihyUTiYJBg/V9EJDJn-50I/AAAAAAAAAN8/i485x7LaREMLg1_xCSd0X_02MrG4BF7AQCLcB/s640/dsmmeet032.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Have No Idea What Version Of The Engine Bay This Was In The Talon</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fGVViIjCdJc/V9EJDOnEBqI/AAAAAAAAAOA/kCtkkVC37_sDHo56DuZDIT0HOLv0233kwCLcB/s1600/700w_06ImportFaceoff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fGVViIjCdJc/V9EJDOnEBqI/AAAAAAAAAOA/kCtkkVC37_sDHo56DuZDIT0HOLv0233kwCLcB/s400/700w_06ImportFaceoff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2006 Import Face Off, Ennis, TX</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-qjsmcUN0s/V9EJi8VFAkI/AAAAAAAAAOE/-pAUzvwBEJgkfzSqjdxCYFcNNrBgzWUzACLcB/s1600/93talon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-qjsmcUN0s/V9EJi8VFAkI/AAAAAAAAAOE/-pAUzvwBEJgkfzSqjdxCYFcNNrBgzWUzACLcB/s400/93talon1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DSM House Shenanigans</td></tr></tbody></table>RWD, FWD, Turbocharged and especially AWD...Hell Yeah!&nbsp; It was great!&nbsp; I learned how to really wrench on cars, and built some nice, clean and quick street cars in those years. I also bought a lot of cars on the cheap from "Know Nothing Owners" and either fixed them, parted them out , or returned them to stock condition to flip them for cash to buy my next car.<br /><br />I broke a lot of shit, and I learned how to fix a lot of it as well.&nbsp; While I did wind up stripping a few cars out, I stand by my record, as I "saved" a lot more cars from <b>Bad Owners</b> than I let die in a junkyard.&nbsp; I truly loved the brand and the platform.<br /><br />&nbsp; Most of my friends were DSM or Mitsusbishi owners as well.&nbsp; I met a lot of very nice people over the years, that I still count as friends.&nbsp; Hell, I even lived with a few of them as housemates.&nbsp; I also got to serve as Administrator on a number of local Import and DSM/Mitsubishi specific message boards, and was generally though of as a well respected member of the online and local DSM community in the Dallas area.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-viqam6fwdCc/V9EK-8I7Z-I/AAAAAAAAAOg/DYLmeU5mSSsb63vCG2uRzNvLDQB_qqCcgCEw/s1600/2008GroupPhoto_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-viqam6fwdCc/V9EK-8I7Z-I/AAAAAAAAAOg/DYLmeU5mSSsb63vCG2uRzNvLDQB_qqCcgCEw/s640/2008GroupPhoto_01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2008 DFW Mitsubishi/DSM Owners Group Photo</td></tr></tbody></table><br />&nbsp;As you can see, I had AWD and Turbocharged 4G63's on the brain, and I just couldn't see myself driving anything else.&nbsp; Especially something like a Naturally Aspirated "Chick Car".&nbsp; No matter how much loyalty it engendered, or how well it handled and how it was supposedly the answer for all things automotive. Besides, my friends said I would look really goofy in a Miata. &nbsp; Especially with my knuckles dragging on the ground, because I left my arm hanging out the window while driving.&nbsp; The whole "Big Guy In A Little Car" thing.&nbsp; Silly reasons, but reasons nonetheless. <br /><br />&nbsp; I had my boost, AWD, a good reputation and a hoard of parts acquired over years of trading, buying and scrounging around. Plus the knowledge and ability to fix pretty much anything that went wrong with the car, so why give that up?<br /><br /><h2>This Is Why </h2><br />Nothing stays the same and life is always in a dynamic state.&nbsp; So it was with my car hobby.&nbsp; I still enjoyed the cars and working on them, but there was one thing that kind of soured me a bit on the whole thing.<br /><br />&nbsp; As I got older, and grumpier, I started to tire of some of the new owners who bought Mitsubishi/DSM cars.&nbsp; They were younger for the most part, and for a large majority, they wanted everything spoon fed to them as far as information about diagnosing problems, mods and repairs. They also really seemed bent on cheaping out on parts and expecting things for free or next to nothing. No interest in doing it the right way, or learning how to do it. &nbsp; Information that had been available for many years and was readily available online, was disregarded for because they "knew what they were doing" or their buddy told them how to do it with E-Bay knock off parts.<br /><br />Sometimes it was fun to sit back and watch the carnage, and at other times it was downright pathetic. <br /><br />I'm all for helping folks out, but when you repeat the same information, over and over to someone and they disregard said information because they think they know better, you start to get a little jaded.<br /><br />So, I kind of withdrew and did my own thing with my cars.&nbsp; I offered advise and help to old friends and people who asked for it, but kind of let the newbies fend for themselves.&nbsp; I'd been working on these things since 1997, and it was starting to get a bit old.&nbsp; But, while I remained curious about something different and new, like the Miata, I pushed it aside and continued working on my latest Mitsubishi Project, a 92 Galant VR-4. <br /><br /><h2>The Grey Heartbreaker</h2><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eOgn6tgf1Eo/V9ELZGvK6bI/AAAAAAAAAO0/K4jULeWbU8wIDNxvcM4iHOPFdranJtsXgCLcB/s1600/2006-04-22%2BFor%2BSale%2B005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eOgn6tgf1Eo/V9ELZGvK6bI/AAAAAAAAAO0/K4jULeWbU8wIDNxvcM4iHOPFdranJtsXgCLcB/s400/2006-04-22%2BFor%2BSale%2B005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, So Painfully Stock</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp; This was probably the nicest Mitsusbishi I had ever owned and I've owned a <b>LOT</b> of them. Turbocharged 4G63, AWD, 4 Wheel Steering, Black Leather Interior and a Limited Edition with World Rally Championship Heritage to boot.&nbsp; One of 1000 imported to the US for the 1992 model year, in my favorite GVR-4 color, <b>Kensington Grey</b>. The car was a clean rust free example that I picked up from the second owner in Colorado.&nbsp; Stock, and unmolested for the most part.&nbsp; I brought it back to Texas and daily drove it for awhile, and then parted out my 90 Talon TSi/AWD and made the Galant my new project.&nbsp; I wanted to build a nice clean, sleeper AWD street car that had decent power, handled well and looked good while doing it. Most of the performance and "go faster" parts from the Talon made their way onto the Galant.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I68sNdxpcco/V9ELZUF07aI/AAAAAAAAAO4/CCMVDqV7I3c6mqNbKn1W3sI33fV_h7qDACLcB/s1600/2006-06-10%2BFor%2BSale%2B008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I68sNdxpcco/V9ELZUF07aI/AAAAAAAAAO4/CCMVDqV7I3c6mqNbKn1W3sI33fV_h7qDACLcB/s400/2006-06-10%2BFor%2BSale%2B008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I Got The Car In Colorado</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfHFbziZxvM/V9EMJ-BdLXI/AAAAAAAAAO8/oqGlacQniQwEBz7gYYr7WLhy7-5p_KZAACLcB/s1600/Ed_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfHFbziZxvM/V9EMJ-BdLXI/AAAAAAAAAO8/oqGlacQniQwEBz7gYYr7WLhy7-5p_KZAACLcB/s400/Ed_14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daily Driver Days, Before The Dark Times</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dnuHXhmN9Qg/V9ELBCAOqbI/AAAAAAAAAOo/U6mjyhUVe4cJDfp2Fvv1-NkbP2pDtF7OwCEw/s1600/DSCF9038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dnuHXhmN9Qg/V9ELBCAOqbI/AAAAAAAAAOo/U6mjyhUVe4cJDfp2Fvv1-NkbP2pDtF7OwCEw/s400/DSCF9038.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frankenstein JDM Clad Monster</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp; While I worked on making it faster, I also managed to score a few rare JDM body parts to include a RS Spec Front Bumper, JDM Rear Bunper and a RS Hood with OEM Hood vents.&nbsp; These parts are highly desired by Galant VR-4 owners in the States, and through some friends, a bit of luck,&nbsp; I had them on my car.<br /><br />Upgraded suspension including, Coil Overs, Polyurethane Bushings, Heim Joints in the rear trailing arms along with numerous other additions made the car handle almost like an EVO. <br /><br />&nbsp; I then had the car painted, and it was gorgeous.&nbsp; Very clean with subtle mods here and there for the discerning eye to pick out.&nbsp; I loved the car and how it looked. It was quick, nimble and made all the proper noises at WOT.&nbsp; I was stoked.&nbsp; <br /><br /><b>Of course,&nbsp; it all went downhill from there.</b><br /><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-ay5-nrqcA/V9ELCJl0dUI/AAAAAAAAAPE/CzZUGeUGMVkUbpSMmYmbpVpzvFA6N5GrQCEw/s1600/DSCF9078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-ay5-nrqcA/V9ELCJl0dUI/AAAAAAAAAPE/CzZUGeUGMVkUbpSMmYmbpVpzvFA6N5GrQCEw/s400/DSCF9078.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off To The Paint Shop!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0EHmfhBVWQ/V9EQgK4nOnI/AAAAAAAAAPM/nxc2a0Ic0p4Z6h9jeQvnjyPf5Xg6XGrsACLcB/s1600/DSCF9065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0EHmfhBVWQ/V9EQgK4nOnI/AAAAAAAAAPM/nxc2a0Ic0p4Z6h9jeQvnjyPf5Xg6XGrsACLcB/s400/DSCF9065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ep1WsVTxKmY/V9EQhY53oEI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/8yJ3lX6FLbslVzbAJ3qCIdZejfoXczQzgCLcB/s1600/DSCF9066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ep1WsVTxKmY/V9EQhY53oEI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/8yJ3lX6FLbslVzbAJ3qCIdZejfoXczQzgCLcB/s400/DSCF9066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BmuNFHJXCu4/V9EQh9agIPI/AAAAAAAAAPU/Q7ZA9d3Fbtw_fAdHTHNb_CoOpJe_7MyegCLcB/s1600/DSCF9075%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BmuNFHJXCu4/V9EQh9agIPI/AAAAAAAAAPU/Q7ZA9d3Fbtw_fAdHTHNb_CoOpJe_7MyegCLcB/s400/DSCF9075%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paint Shop Carnage!</td></tr></tbody></table><h2><br /></h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vV94tInqsso/V9ERTKUwqtI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Uo4js55zswAJ57xqJ-TqxZpurcqwgyf-ACEw/s1600/IMG_4428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vV94tInqsso/V9ERTKUwqtI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Uo4js55zswAJ57xqJ-TqxZpurcqwgyf-ACEw/s640/IMG_4428.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011 Dallas Mitsubishi Owners Day</td></tr></tbody></table><h2><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_1TxfrqrV_s/V9ERTJHuk9I/AAAAAAAAAPY/pMcajBygzcQQYzDdfNe-v5A3ctPh4kmPwCLcB/s1600/IMAG0255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_1TxfrqrV_s/V9ERTJHuk9I/AAAAAAAAAPY/pMcajBygzcQQYzDdfNe-v5A3ctPh4kmPwCLcB/s400/IMAG0255.jpg" width="400" /></a>&nbsp;</h2><h2>&nbsp;Surely, You Jest! </h2>Unfortunately, No.<br /><br />After the paint and JDM parts, the car wasn't any fun to drive anymore.&nbsp; I couldn't get it insured for a declared value, because it was "just an Old Mitsubishi" according to&nbsp; Hagerty.&nbsp; After hanging up on his ass,&nbsp; I decided to stick with State Farm, and just hope for no accidents.<br /><br />Solid plan, eh?<br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUjigIioNIw/V9EKZWpXHPI/AAAAAAAAAOw/YZYutvjHONsXhacylYnzdhBLJAzxWGPhwCEw/s1600/DSMs-0241_6x120ppi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUjigIioNIw/V9EKZWpXHPI/AAAAAAAAAOw/YZYutvjHONsXhacylYnzdhBLJAzxWGPhwCEw/s400/DSMs-0241_6x120ppi.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i-hU6vjSu0M/V9EKaJ37o5I/AAAAAAAAAOw/NfUsUElfmjoBp80BYVlRHqHLOvUCuJGogCEw/s1600/enginebay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i-hU6vjSu0M/V9EKaJ37o5I/AAAAAAAAAOw/NfUsUElfmjoBp80BYVlRHqHLOvUCuJGogCEw/s400/enginebay.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engine Bay Version: Something Something Dark Side...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />&nbsp; Because of this, I drove around with my head on a swivel, whenever I took it out.&nbsp; I knew if someone hit me, the car would probably get totaled out and I would more than likely get screwed by the insurance company on the payout.&nbsp; Which I didn't want, I just wanted to be able to fix my car if it happened.<br /><br />&nbsp; Whenever I drove it, I obsessed about every noise, creak and vibration the car made.&nbsp; I was constantly trying to decipher what the car was trying to tell me, and it just made me crazy.<br /><br />The final straw was when I hit a "City Titty" and bent one of the SSR Competition wheels on the car and couldn't get it fixed right away.&nbsp; Most of the local wheel repair shops wouldn't touch the repair because the bend had also caused a crack in the rim, and they didn't want to be liable for the repair if it damaged the wheel or if it failed later on.&nbsp; I also couldn't easily source a replacement wheel, since that particular version of the Competition had been out of production for a long time.<br /><br />&nbsp; I eventually did get the wheel fixed, but after that I pretty much stopped driving the car at all.&nbsp; It sat for over a year in my garage and I would make half hearted attempts to work on it, install some parts I had lying around and continue the build.&nbsp; I just wasn't feeling it any more.<br /><br />I had gone too far, and created the "Mother Of All Garage Queens" and was afraid to drive it.<br /><br />&nbsp; It took awhile to figure it out, but it was time to let it go.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S-Ha1o9CFiI/V9EKZAvVRRI/AAAAAAAAAOw/j3ytW9nrnakkUyUY8hmCnL59tMwFfBS4gCPcB/s1600/DSMs-0198_6x120ppi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S-Ha1o9CFiI/V9EKZAvVRRI/AAAAAAAAAOw/j3ytW9nrnakkUyUY8hmCnL59tMwFfBS4gCPcB/s640/DSMs-0198_6x120ppi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It Got Dirty While Taking This Picture.&nbsp; I Was Irritated For Weeks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><h2>Bye Bye Baby, Baby Bye Bye.... </h2>Soon afterwards, I listed it for sale on the Galant VR-4 forum and some Facebook pages with a asking price guaranteed to keep the <i>"tire kickers"</i> away.&nbsp; I got a few bites here and there,some scoffing at my asking price, some genuinely interested as well.&nbsp; I didn't think it was going to sell, but I eventually got a serious offer after a friend blew up my FS ad on Facebook.&nbsp; The buyer agreed to my asking price, sight unseen with no attempts at haggling, which surprised me.&nbsp; Over the next two weeks he paid for the car, and I got it ready to go to its new home. <br /><br />&nbsp; I dropped the car off at a local performance shop, to have the car checked out at the buyer's request and the car eventually made its way to New York State and its new owner.&nbsp; I also boxed up&nbsp; most every spare part I had for the car, along with my years of hoarded DSM/Mitsubishi parts and put everything on two pallets and shipped them up as well.<br /><br />The new owner reports that he is more than pleased, and he and his Dad are enjoying the car.&nbsp; I'm glad to hear they like it.<br /><br />I did a good thing with that car.&nbsp; But....<i>I am finally free now.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><h2>Do You Miss It?<i> </i></h2>Of course I do.<br /><br />There's literal blood sweat and tears in that car, along with all the time and money I spent on it.&nbsp; I do miss the feel of the turbocharged engine pushing me back in the seat, along with the feel of a properly sorted AWD setup. Nothing else like it.&nbsp; Regardless, I think I did the right thing.&nbsp; Selling it and buying a Miata as a project car seems to fit where I am in life right now.&nbsp; I'm not afraid to drive it, aftermarket support is plentiful and plus there's the joy of learning the ins and outs of a whole new platform.<br /><br />So, that's where I'll be for the time being, learning about my new toy.&nbsp; Hopefully I don't screw this one up by going too far with it as well.<br /><br />But knowing me,&nbsp; I probably will.<br /><i><br /></i><i>Until Then,</i><br /><br /><b><br /></b><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot......</b><br />.<i></i><br /><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp; Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-26551591565448909802016-09-06T11:43:00.002-05:002016-09-08T02:52:53.666-05:00In The Wild- 5 September 2016<h2>Hello...Nurse!</h2>I'm usually a Import Guy for the most part, but I do have a soft spot in my head for Domestic Cars as well.&nbsp; For a few glorious months, I was the owner of a Black on Black 6 Speed 05 Pontiac GTO, until common sense and dwindling finances forced me to sell it.<br /><br />&nbsp;Pretty much any Muscle Car or Pony Car will catch my attention, but one that I've always admired from afar is the Third Generation Corvette.<br /><br />&nbsp;I spotted this one at Sedgewick County Park in Wichita while my Girlfriend was running a 5K and had to snap a few pics of it.<br /><br />Yes, I know by today's standards they're horribly under powered and were produced when open chest hair, platform shoes and gold chains were a thing, but I can't help myself.&nbsp; I mean, look at that <b>BODY.&nbsp; </b>The lines, curves and the way it flows.&nbsp; It all just works.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fU-k7sf0PPw/V87wDnLgARI/AAAAAAAAANo/U1YH5-ICwF0ogGdppI6BjeLi4QOdb4M6ACLcB/s1600/awesome%2Bsmiley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fU-k7sf0PPw/V87wDnLgARI/AAAAAAAAANo/U1YH5-ICwF0ogGdppI6BjeLi4QOdb4M6ACLcB/s320/awesome%2Bsmiley.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk3r50djhxg/V87qZ9U_QXI/AAAAAAAAANg/S5E3ygx1WYYzVEvFd8HiiBqtHwgyhYmawCEw/s1600/20160905_083411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk3r50djhxg/V87qZ9U_QXI/AAAAAAAAANg/S5E3ygx1WYYzVEvFd8HiiBqtHwgyhYmawCEw/s320/20160905_083411.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flPAVx6aYyY/V87qaKoJmFI/AAAAAAAAANg/-ryNiLVQDYEd7q3O5KXGdH0kQPFijXbygCEw/s1600/20160905_083420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flPAVx6aYyY/V87qaKoJmFI/AAAAAAAAANg/-ryNiLVQDYEd7q3O5KXGdH0kQPFijXbygCEw/s320/20160905_083420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />&nbsp;I'm not a big fan of the chrome on this particular one, but that's entirely a subjective matter and can be addressed if so desired.&nbsp; The lack of power can be addressed as well with a number of different Power Train options.&nbsp; Also these were produced in enough numbers,&nbsp; so that finding one in decent shape <i>shouldn't</i> be too hard.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICFplNDYnCI/V87qYaaeYNI/AAAAAAAAANg/VNUepu1qxA82VcK4oIhjjGkIxz2dsXr-ACEw/s1600/20160905_083309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICFplNDYnCI/V87qYaaeYNI/AAAAAAAAANg/VNUepu1qxA82VcK4oIhjjGkIxz2dsXr-ACEw/s320/20160905_083309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uurxi3m7uS0/V87qYL4vErI/AAAAAAAAANg/m950JsHa9S44p8l_Gys6Q1NXczTsw2TFQCEw/s1600/20160905_083324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uurxi3m7uS0/V87qYL4vErI/AAAAAAAAANg/m950JsHa9S44p8l_Gys6Q1NXczTsw2TFQCEw/s320/20160905_083324.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90u4n3pmBDw/V87qXnzrEYI/AAAAAAAAANg/iXoP7SU5U_sAhLH8dOsZPwCkC5XyYiaQgCEw/s1600/20160905_083335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90u4n3pmBDw/V87qXnzrEYI/AAAAAAAAANg/iXoP7SU5U_sAhLH8dOsZPwCkC5XyYiaQgCEw/s320/20160905_083335.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yoa7qb31hK0/V87qY6eJRLI/AAAAAAAAANg/jQxIvjvbBy0tgWDWaUF1CkJYkytO6OP9QCEw/s1600/20160905_083350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yoa7qb31hK0/V87qY6eJRLI/AAAAAAAAANg/jQxIvjvbBy0tgWDWaUF1CkJYkytO6OP9QCEw/s320/20160905_083350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Maybe one day when I have my own place with a shop on site, I can pick one of these up and do something with it.&nbsp; It'd make a nice weekend cruiser, and would definitely get some looks.&nbsp;<br /><br />Of course, I like poking bears so I'd probably go and&nbsp; swap something Japanese into it, to address the power issue. :-)<br /><br />Who Knows?<br /><br />Maybe one day.<br /><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot... </b><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-12691836264363491812016-08-30T03:23:00.000-05:002016-09-01T03:38:01.352-05:00Radiator Springs<h2>So, Here's What Happened...</h2>&nbsp; One habit I've cultivated over the years after owning some "questionably maintained" vehicles, is to pop the hood and check the car out while I'm filling up the car.&nbsp; So it goes with the Miata a.ka. "The Turtle".&nbsp; Based on the stuff I've already fixed thanks to the previous owner, it's not only prudent but probably necessary.&nbsp; So there I was, on the way home stopped off at a local gas station feeding the Miata what it needed to run.&nbsp; The Thirsty Bitch. &nbsp; Popped the hood to check the oil, coolant level in the reservoir bottle and did a quick general visual inspection to look for anything amiss.&nbsp; Loose or missing fasteners, leaking hoses, nothing unusual....<i>just a small puddle of coolant behind the Passenger side headlight.</i><br /><br /><b>Wait, What!!?!</b><br /><br />Sure enough, there was a puddle of fresh coolant leaking down from the hose connecting the radiator neck to the overflow bottle.&nbsp; The top end tank had coolant pooled on top of it, and showed what looked like coolant leaking between the tank and the radiator body. <br /><br /><b>$#!!*%&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://obiouslytrue.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/49793684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://obiouslytrue.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/49793684.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Obviously, this needed to be fixed.&nbsp; The idea of being stuck on some back country Kansas road at night, was not on my list of "Top Things To Do."&nbsp; So in true Overachieving Gearhead fashion, I decided I wasn't going to just fix this issue, I was going to overdo it as usual, because I just can't seem to fix something or just leave it the hell alone.&nbsp; Time for upgrades!<br /><h2><b> </b><b>The Search Begins!</b></h2>I started hitting up the various Miata vendor sites and&nbsp; read over the various offerings from the usual suspects like&nbsp; Mishimoto, Koyo, CFR and even some E-Bay off brands, that would probably work, but I didn't really feel like rolling the dice.&nbsp; After some thought,&nbsp; I eventually decided on a 37mm Aluminum Radiator from Koyo.<br /><b> </b><br /><br />&nbsp; Based on my research the Koyo seemed to be the choice for the majority of Miata owners who upgraded their radiators.&nbsp; It's a physically larger unit than the OEM radiator, and features a two row core for enhanced cooling.&nbsp; It's thicker, but not crazy thick like the CFR offering for the NB Miata.&nbsp; Since I wanted to upgrade, along with fix the issue of the leaking radiator, this seemed like a good choice.&nbsp; I was drawn to the Koyo because of its reputation, overall quality of the product, and the fact that it was supposed to be a basically <b>Drop In </b>install, with no fuss or no muss.&nbsp; We'll come back to that later.<br /><br />I placed an order and had it within a few days, drop shipped from the manufacturer.&nbsp; Packaged very well, and arrived in good order.&nbsp; Neat!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160804_140634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160804_140634.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160804_140654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160804_140654.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />&nbsp;I also placed an order from <a href="http://garagestar.com/" target="_blank">GarageStar</a> for one of their <a href="http://garagestar.com/blog/?product=garage-star-temperature-sandwich-plate" target="_blank">Thermostat Housing Sandwich Plates</a>. They make a lot of cool and unique stuff for Miatas, and this is a simple solution for a future mod that I wanted to do.<br /><br />&nbsp;This plate fits between the thermostat cover and thermostat housing, to allow you to install a 1/8NPT sensor to measure water temperature with an aftermarket gauge.&nbsp; I planned on adding auxiliary gauges in the future, so this seemed like a good thing to take care of since I would have to drain the coolant to install the new radiator.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160804_135658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160804_135658.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br />Why make a mess twice if you don't have to?&nbsp; Right?!<br /><br /><h2>The Road To Hell....</h2>I've installed a ton of radiators into various cars over the years and have gotten pretty good at it.&nbsp; Hell, one time on a first date, I changed my date's radiator out (So To Speak) in the parking lot of a Malibu Speedzone, before we went to dinner.&nbsp; Unfortunately, this didn't really impress her and I didn't get a second date.&nbsp; Pisser.<br /><br />Anyway....<br /><br />It's simple:&nbsp; Drain Coolant, Loosen and Remove Hoses, Remove Mounting Hardware, Unplug Electric Fans/Connections and Pull The Damned Thing Out.&nbsp; Installation is the reverse of removal, right?&nbsp; Sure it is!<br /><br />Got the old radiator out and transferred all the fans and attachments over to the new unit.&nbsp; I even manged not to make a huge mess draining the radiator and removing the hoses, which is not a normal thing with me.&nbsp; I was pretty proud of myself.<br /><br />&nbsp; I also went ahead and installed the GarageStar Sandwich Plate, along with new gaskets to ensure no leaks.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160810_111636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160810_111636.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Went to drop in my "no fuss, no muss" radiator in and noticed a bit of a problem.&nbsp; <i>&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><i>The A/C Condenser Mount bolts, were poking into my nice, shiny new radiator.</i><br /><br />Koyo's definition of <b>"DROP IN"</b> is different from mine, evidently.<br /><br />The new radiator is both thicker and wider than the OEM unit, so there are clearance issues. Something, I should have realized beforehand. &nbsp; After a few searches on the Internet, I discovered the solution to this issue was to <b>"gently" </b>bend the Condenser Core forward until the radiator <b>DIDN'T</b> contact the pokey bits of the Condenser Mount.&nbsp;<br /><br />Okay, I can be gentle.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160810_121811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160810_121811.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br />After about an hour of gently wiggling, bending, cursing and several sworn oaths, I decided that I was tired of screwing with it and grabbed the biggest prybar I had and bent the Condenser as far forward as I could.&nbsp; Sometimes, <b>GENTLE </b>doesn't get the job done.&nbsp; At least in a timely manner.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160810_121852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160810_121852.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />With the core out of the way, the rest of the install went smoothly.&nbsp; Bolted everything down, reconnected both radiator hoses, plugged the fans in and filled the radiator with a mixture of coolant and distilled water.&nbsp; Started the car up and burped the system to remove any trapped air in the system, and checked for leaks around the sandwich plate and the threaded plug in the plate as well.<br /><br />I moved on the upper radiator hose and checked it out while congratulating my self about being proactive and installing the plate beforehand to make sure I didn't make a mess in the future when it came time to install my gauges.<br /><br />It was around that time, feeling ever so smug, that I noticed that Koyo had thoughtfully, <i>already provided a 1/8NPT port in the top of the radiator, for an aftermarket temperature sensor.&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160811_114023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160811_114023.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Well F**k Me...&nbsp;</b><br /><br />See, this is where my OCD kicks in and screws me over.<br /><br />&nbsp;Part of me is thinking, <i>"Hey Man, just leave the plate in there.&nbsp; It's not hurting anything and it's not leaking."&nbsp;</i><br /><br />However, The Anal Retentive Aircraft Mechanic in me says: <i>"Get that unclean thing off of my car!.&nbsp; It's not needed, and it really, really disturbs me by being on there and not being needed."</i><br /><b> </b><br /><br /><b>Guess Which Voice I Listened To?</b><br /><br />So, yeah, I pulled it off and made a huge mess by spilling coolant everywhere.&nbsp; Had to buy new OEM hardware for the thermostat housing because the old hardware was pretty nasty looking, along with more coolant and a new thermostat gasket.<br /><br />All because my Inner Asshole is a shouty bitch.<br /><b> </b><br /><h2><b>After All That...</b></h2>I'm happy to report that everything is working fine.&nbsp; No leaks in the cooling system and all appears to be well.&nbsp; The new radiator is a pretty nice looking piece that not only enhances the cooling capacity of the car, but looks pretty good doing it.&nbsp; My only real hiccup (that wasn't of my own doing) was the Condenser Core clearance issue.&nbsp; A few seconds with a&nbsp; pry bar took care of that, and other than that it did just drop right in. You know, as advertised aside from the bit with the prybar and cursing.<br /><br />&nbsp; I can't wait to see if it helps keep the car cool for my upcoming track day in October.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160811_124337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/edobrzyn/99%20Miata/20160811_124337.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />I also have a really nice GarageStar Thermostat Sandwich plate, with about 20 minutes of run time, minus the gaskets.&nbsp; Anyone wanna buy it?<br /><br /><i>*SIGH*</i><br /><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot....</b><br /><br />&nbsp;<b> </b>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-75897690956313082812016-08-18T02:52:00.001-05:002016-08-18T02:52:09.965-05:00New Junk For The VW TDI<br />&nbsp; While my 2005 VW Golf TDI is my Daily Driver, I occasionally like to give "The Helmet" some love.<br /><br />&nbsp; One thing that always bothered me about most modern passenger vehicles and the Golf especially, is the, lack of a proper Oil Pressure Gauge.<br /><br />&nbsp;In my opinion, all cars car should come with a Voltage, Oil Pressure and Water Temp Gauge from the factory.&nbsp; Thankfully most manufacturers almost always include a Water Temp Gauge, although I do remember seeing some base model econoboxes that were only equipped with a Temperature Warning Light (Yikes!).&nbsp; Not good.&nbsp; I can understand trying to keep costs down, but some cars NEED these items at a bare minimum.&nbsp; And another thing, if the car has some form of Forced Induction from the factory, include a Boost Gauge, you heathens! <br /><br />&nbsp; The Golf has a very nicely designed dash, with a very attractive set of factory gauges.&nbsp; However it's missing a Oil Pressure Gauge, Boost Gauge and, while it works just fine, I suspect that the factory Water Temp Gauge is actually nowhere near the 190 degrees F it indicates, pretty much all the time.&nbsp; So, something needs to be done to address this issue that plagues my OCD tendencies.<br /><br />&nbsp; Installing a set of aftermarket gauges is fairly easy, but I didn't really want to spend a bunch of money and time to install some gauges, especially with the limited space afforded by the Double DIN Head Unit installed and the factory airbags installed in the A-Pillar.<br /><br />&nbsp; I was going to go with a <a href="http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/3in1-boost-vacuum-and-digital-pressure-temperature-gauge.aspx?gclid=CjwKEAjwudW9BRDcrd30kovf8GkSJAB3hTxF3lP8MX_5U71BQfQlsuvgOttEaBF7-Z8AYy8-UkUCKRoCn8vw_wcB" target="_blank">3 In 1 Gauge from Glowshift</a>, mounted to a single pod on my steering column.&nbsp; The gauge in question is 60mm in diameter and&nbsp; includes a Boost Gauge, Temp Gauge and Pressure Gauge. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/images/products/display/15_GS_3G-21_Main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/images/products/display/15_GS_3G-21_Main.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a></div>Pretty neat, eh?&nbsp; It even includes a nice Indigo Blue to match the factory back lighting on the VW<br /> <br />gauge cluster.&nbsp; Priced fairly reasonably for around $140 or some from various vendors.&nbsp; I wasn't sure about the quality of the product, and incorporating a sender for the water temp would require splicing in a Water Temp Adapter into my Upper Radiator Hose.&nbsp; Also, I really didn't want to run a bunch of wiring if I didn't have to, so I passed on this idea, for the moment.<br /><br />I have a Bully Dog Watchdog on"The Doorknob", (my 06 Raider Pickup) and it works great to add additional gauges and other features to the vehicle, rather easily.&nbsp; Unfortunately it's discontinued and the closest thing that matched from Bully Dog was about $300.&nbsp; Scratch that too.<br /><br />Did some Googling and found the <a href="http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/" target="_blank">Ultra Gauge</a> which offered similar features to the Watchdog, along with some it didn't for under $100.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/Design_Files/images/Ultragauge_TwotoChooseFrom_r2_c1_s2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/Design_Files/images/Ultragauge_TwotoChooseFrom_r2_c1_s2.png" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>I placed an order and it arrived today.&nbsp; I haven't had a chance to install it or play around with it yet, but that should be taken care of fairly soon.&nbsp; Unfortunately, it doesn't read Oil Pressure on my car, so it looks like I'll still have to install a aftermarket gauge after all.&nbsp; I already have a AEM Oil Pressure Gauge from a past project that will go on the steering column, while the Ultra Gauge will monitor Boost, Water Temp, Voltage and display Real Time MPG along with other parameters.<br /><br />&nbsp; I just hope the stupid thing works as advertised.&nbsp; If it doesn't, I'll be sure to document it here.<br /><br />Until Then,<br />Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot......<br /><br />Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-81762017605470456172016-08-16T13:11:00.002-05:002016-08-16T13:11:42.882-05:00Car Karma&nbsp; I finally managed to sell something that's been hanging around my neck ever since I picked up "The Helmet" from my buddy.<br /><br />&nbsp; The original steering wheel in the MkIV Golf/Jetta TDI cars were for the most part, made of foam with a hard rubberized coating on the outside, and used on the lower end models.&nbsp; Probably worked and looked alright when new, but not really designed with longevity in mind.&nbsp; The one on "The Helmet" was in pretty bad shape, even with one of those Autozone slip on steering wheel covers installed to hide the carnage.<br /><br />I was given a brand new OEM foam steering wheel that the PO had bought to replace the shoddy one, but it wouldn't fit due to the airbag that was installed in the car.&nbsp; VW it seems had two different suppliers for airbags during the MkIV productuion run, and lo and behold this one didn't fit.&nbsp; Whatever, free parts are free parts.&nbsp; I resolved either to find a replacement wheel that fit the airbag I had on the car, or source a airbag for the new wheel.<br /><br />&nbsp; A few months later I found a used 3 spoke Leather wheel from a MkIV GTI, and installed it in place of my worn out stocker.&nbsp; I put both steering wheels and the airbag up on the forums and Craigslist because, while I didn't have any use for the parts, I couldn't just throw them away.&nbsp; Especially the airbag.&nbsp; Not sure how they get disposed of but tossing it into my apartment dumpster probably wasn't the right way.<br /><br />I heard <b>NOTHING</b> from either Craigslist or the VW parts forums, because evidently <b>NO ONE</b> wants the stock foam wheel, not even a brand new one.&nbsp; Crap.&nbsp; But I persevered.&nbsp; I kept the ad up on Craigslist and I bumped my FS threads on the forums and Facebook.&nbsp; I was gonna get these things sold, damnit!<br /><br />Finally got a response after 3 months from someone off of Craigslist asking about the wheel.&nbsp; We dickered a bit on price and he offered $30 for everything from my $50 asking price.&nbsp; I sighed, said: "Bring cash, and it's all yours."&nbsp; I just wanted the stuff gone.&nbsp; I was tired of tripping over it in the garage and seeing it lying there, as if mocking me.<br /><br />&nbsp;<i>"You'll never get rid of me...we're gonna be together, FOREVER!"&nbsp; </i><br /><br /><br />The guy came over and handed me cash for my parts a few days later.&nbsp; We talked for a bit, about his VW, my cars and our jobs.&nbsp; It turns out he worked as a Engineer for BG Products here in Wichita, and he appreciated me knocking $20 off the parts.&nbsp; <i>(I didn't have the heart to tell him they were one weekend away from being tossed in the dumpster, airbag or no airbag.)</i>&nbsp; He said he had a bunch of products from BG that he had lying around, and he would drop it off in a few days for hooking him up.&nbsp; Neat!<br /><br />The next Saturday he showed up with a box of BG Product stuff, that I haven't gotten to go through yet.&nbsp; Wasn't expecting him to follow through, but there he was taking time out of his schedule to back up his words. I truly did appreciate his gesture, even though I didn't have the heart to tell him, I'm an Amsoil man. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />Anyway, sometimes if you're cool to car people (Even if you didn't intend to.), good things can happen.<br /><br /><i>Wonder what I'll find in there.&nbsp; I like surprises</i>.<br /><br />Later, <br />Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot....... <br /><br />.Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-37109771670793692342016-08-09T02:14:00.003-05:002016-09-21T16:43:18.904-05:00So, I Did A Thing....<b>I ordered a Rollbar for the Miata.&nbsp; From Some Dude In California, Over The Phone.</b><br /><b><br /></b>I've been looking for a rollbar for the Miata ever since I got the car back in December of 2015.&nbsp; It's been on my mind as a mod for the car for several reasons:<br /><br /><h2>The Reasons (Or How I Try To Convince Myself I'm Not Just Pissing Money Away):</h2><br />1.&nbsp;<b> Safety</b>:&nbsp; The most important reason of course.&nbsp; I want to do some track days with this thing eventually, and most tracks require a rollbar for convertible cars.&nbsp; I have a hardtop on the car, but that's not going to help in a rollover.&nbsp; <br /><br />Not At All.<br /><i><b>Thin Fiberglass, Paint and Glass Versus Road Surface, Weight and Inertia?</b></i><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">(Warning: Graphic Images)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYlU2S5C0jM/V6jAwNsoR3I/AAAAAAAAAJY/8EbDLQGcgRUY-HcmfQGcfk5P3VuzZ7Q2ACEw/s1600/rbe55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYlU2S5C0jM/V6jAwNsoR3I/AAAAAAAAAJY/8EbDLQGcgRUY-HcmfQGcfk5P3VuzZ7Q2ACEw/s1600/rbe55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYlU2S5C0jM/V6jAwNsoR3I/AAAAAAAAAJY/8EbDLQGcgRUY-HcmfQGcfk5P3VuzZ7Q2ACEw/s400/rbe55.jpg" width="400" />&nbsp;</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TaBQiXXyNv8/V6jAwK46GqI/AAAAAAAAAJg/XFUN8oDQ5xYyPgFA7cj9YhOHSe2pbM65QCEw/s1600/vsjfmllqxfzvivmzm5zd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TaBQiXXyNv8/V6jAwK46GqI/AAAAAAAAAJg/XFUN8oDQ5xYyPgFA7cj9YhOHSe2pbM65QCEw/s400/vsjfmllqxfzvivmzm5zd.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ki_D4UUbJAY/V6jAvj_AXxI/AAAAAAAAAJM/ERKgluhqT9oIgw2W5JuX38OCGSfJwmU4wCEw/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ki_D4UUbJAY/V6jAvj_AXxI/AAAAAAAAAJM/ERKgluhqT9oIgw2W5JuX38OCGSfJwmU4wCEw/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><b>Pretty much a no brainer, eh?</b><br /><br />&nbsp; Since the car will spend most of the time on the street, I need to add some padding to the main hoop of the bar so that I don't crack my oversized noggin open in a rear end collision, or while doing something stupid on the street, so some SFI Certified padding will be used as well.&nbsp; I eventually plan to upgrade to different seats that will either allow me to sit lower (Aftermarket Fixed Bucket) or have a taller headrest (01-05 Miata "Surfboard" Seats).&nbsp; I could also do a "fomaectomy" which involves removing padding from the seat bottom to allow a person to sit lower.<br /><br />2. <b>Chassis Rigidity</b>:&nbsp; The stock Miata is not very stiff, due to being a convertible (Really?).&nbsp; The roof and B-Pillars on a conventional car add a lot of structural support to the chassis but take that away and the car can flop like a wet noodle in certain situations. Going over Potholes, Railroad Tracks, Bumps, Curbs At Speed (Wait,What?), and the car will let you know it's not happy.&nbsp; The hardtop helps a lot, but the rollbar will definitely stiffen up the chassis quite a bit.<br /><br />3. <b>Looks</b>:&nbsp; Most people would agree that cars with a rollbar look pretty cool. I know it's supposed to be there to help save my life and improve the structural integrity, but it would definitely be a nice form addition, as well as functional.&nbsp; It makes an ordinary car, look like a race car and if any car could use some "butching" up it's a Miata.<br /><br /><h3>So Which One Did You Get?</h3>There are several manufacturers of bolt in Miata rollbars.&nbsp; The three big ones are Hard Dog, Blackbird Fabworx and Boss Frog.&nbsp; Every one of these manufacturers make a fine product, but I wanted to be sure I picked the right bar for me, since I don't plan on buying another one for this car.<br /><br />I wanted whichever bar I picked to meet a few criteria:<br /><br />1.&nbsp; <b>Hardtop/Softop With Glass Window Compatible</b>-&nbsp; My car will primarily be driven with the hardtop installed, so the rollbar would have to clear the hardtop.&nbsp; On the off chance that I don't have the hardtop on, I don't want operating the soft top to be an issue. <br /><br />2.&nbsp; <b>Visibility</b>- With the hardtop installed, the larger rear window makes lane changes and the overall driving experience, better.&nbsp; I didn't want the rollbar to detract too much from that if possible.<br /><br />3.&nbsp;<b> "Streetability"</b>-&nbsp; "Streetability" is not a quantifiable value, but rather an entirely subjective one.&nbsp; What one is willing to put up with on a street car differs from person to person.&nbsp; My basic worry, is : <i><b>"How much is this is going to detract from everyday driving?"</b></i>&nbsp; Hardtop compatible rollbars are a compromise when it comes to one important area, the height of the main hoop.&nbsp; The higher the hoop is placed, the least likely you are to get a serious head injury from an accident on the street, unless you're wearing a helmet <i><b>(A helmet?&nbsp; On the street?&nbsp; Are you mad?)</b></i>.<br />Hardtop rollbars place the hoop further back, but lower in height, while bars for soft top installs are taller, but closer to the driver.<br />There are number of very heated threads on pretty much any Miata forum debating, the use of a rollbar on a street driven car and which is better, taller or further back.<br />&nbsp; I'm not here to debate on the subject, but I'm of the opinion that with the proper padding installed on the rollbar, it's a much safer option than driving without a rollbar installed.&nbsp; Especially if there's spirited driving involved. Something as simple as getting out of bed is a risk these day, but I believe the risks with a rollbar on a street car can be mitigated enough for my tastes.<br /><br /><h3>The Manufacturers: </h3><a href="http://www.bethania-garage.com/default.htm" target="_blank">Hard Dog</a> is the most popular, offering a wide assortment of styles to accommodate the different needs of Miata owners looking for additional safety for their cars.&nbsp; From racetrack legal rollbars to street "safety" bars, they have it all. Hardtop/Softop Compatible, Single Diagonal, Double Diagonal, No Diagonal, Retro Style Hoop Bars they have it all. They're the "800lb Gorilla" of the Miata Rollbar market in the United States.&nbsp; From what I've read, most Hard Dog owners are very happy with the bars.&nbsp; I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted based on how many were available.&nbsp; Kind of overwhelming.<br />&nbsp; I had my choice narrowed down to the <a href="http://www.bethania-garage.com/m2hardcore_hardtop.htm" target="_blank">Hard Dog M2 Hard Core Hardtop</a>, which featured 1.75in Diameter tubing for the main hoop, and my choice of either a single diagonal or double diagonal support bar.&nbsp; It's hardtop compatible, and extremely popular in the Miata community, and I passed on it.<br />The single diagonal obscured the view out the window, and the double diagonal while better wasn't what I was really looking for.&nbsp; Some folks online reported some fitment issues during installation, and a problem with the seat belt retractors working slowly, due to the rollbar interfering with their factory location.&nbsp; Plus, <b>EVERYONE</b> and his brother has one of these bars.&nbsp; An awesome bar, but not what I was really looking for.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bossfrog.biz/" target="_blank">Boss Frog</a> offers a much smaller selection of bars, and I couldn't really find a lot of folks with them installed.&nbsp; They offer a <a href="http://www.bossfrog.biz/Miata_Rollbars.html" target="_blank">Double Hoop and Single Hoop model</a>.&nbsp; Again, since I couldn't get a feel for how their products fared with their customers, so I passed on the Clearview as well.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blackbirdfabworx.com/" target="_blank">Blackbird Fabworx</a> is a smaller company out in California that offers two different single hoop rollbars for the NB Miata, along with models for all generations of Miatas and other cars.&nbsp; They also do fabrication for a wide range of cars as well.&nbsp; One is a Single Diagonal model and the other is a X braced model called the GT3.&nbsp; All models for the NB and NA Miata are Hardtop and Soft Top compatible.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ds9ZXjdnBOc/V6jAv53ZSUI/AAAAAAAAAJg/7uhDLBCDcykFhHU_8tJJpzLO8bZ2lgilQCEw/s1600/007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ds9ZXjdnBOc/V6jAv53ZSUI/AAAAAAAAAJg/7uhDLBCDcykFhHU_8tJJpzLO8bZ2lgilQCEw/s400/007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8q2KXxBWsI/V6jAv9YLhlI/AAAAAAAAAJg/Qvs6Eg4Ysesqvuc3feDIMVyqwaPuYY4tACEw/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8q2KXxBWsI/V6jAv9YLhlI/AAAAAAAAAJg/Qvs6Eg4Ysesqvuc3feDIMVyqwaPuYY4tACEw/s400/006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzf7kDN3ErI/V6l_JpRMujI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/HYURM2faYzgr95Wp4tyB0ni-MXwamVu5wCLcB/s1600/0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzf7kDN3ErI/V6l_JpRMujI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/HYURM2faYzgr95Wp4tyB0ni-MXwamVu5wCLcB/s400/0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Visibility seems to be better on the Single Diagonal model than other manufacturer's models due to the diagonal bar's placement, per the picture below.&nbsp; I know I'd want to be able to see the Death Star crawling up my butt.&nbsp; The Blackbird bars seem to be rather over engineered with a integral harness bar incorporated into the assembly along with 1.75 in diameter tubing making up the main structure.&nbsp; This bar should be legal for just about any autocross or track event.&nbsp; From what I've read the bar is very "streetable" and fully compatible with the hardtop.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zyM-IsGUXgk/V6jG3mb5QDI/AAAAAAAAAJs/EOCxeiPydHAcoyWfZihGvurufj2J5bsCgCLcB/s1600/13717311_10206871291124664_6163017756693729771_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zyM-IsGUXgk/V6jG3mb5QDI/AAAAAAAAAJs/EOCxeiPydHAcoyWfZihGvurufj2J5bsCgCLcB/s400/13717311_10206871291124664_6163017756693729771_o.jpg" width="400" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;Also the issue with the seat belt retractors seems to have been tackled in a different manner with a set of tabs welded onto the rollbar to move the upper belt anchor point above the stock location. From what I've read, this improves the issue with the belt retraction, and improves the appearance of the setup.&nbsp; Neat.&nbsp; It's little touches like this that show the care and thought that went into the product.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hmm.&nbsp; Over Engineered?&nbsp; Integral Harness Bar (Which I'll probably never need.)?&nbsp; Better Visibility Than the Competition? Hardtop and Soft Top Compatible?&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Hell, Sign Me Up.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Needless to say I placed a call to Moti at Blackbird Fabworx and ordered a Single Diagonal Rollbar for my car.&nbsp; The bar can be shipped nationwide and powdercoated in just about any color for an extra charge.&nbsp; I went with standard black because I'm cheap and boring.&nbsp; Moti also asked me if I wanted to add some padding to my order for the rollbar and took my information over the phone and was generally a pleasure to deal with.&nbsp; I was informed that they had one on the shelf ready to go to powdercoating, and I should hear from them soon when it's ready to ship.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I Can't Wait.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course I'll post pictures of the mayhem and carnage, once it arrives and I actually get to the installation process. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until Then, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Alpha, Mike Foxtrot...</b></div><b>&nbsp; </b>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-36465532044156853682016-08-05T04:01:00.000-05:002016-08-14T23:22:24.083-05:00Gojira....Gojira....&nbsp; Saw something today that I didn't expect to ever see in Wichita, of all places.<br /><br />Went to the Post Office today to mail off some more of my ever dwindling supply of DSM/Mitsubishi car parts to a buyer from Facebook.&nbsp; I had left a roll of packing tape in the car, so I had to schlep all my stuff back outside when I noticed something <i>different </i>in the parking lot.<br /><br />Parked a few cars away from my Miata, was a nice clean R32 Nissan GT-R in Metallic Grey.<br /><br />Now, I've seen a few GT-R's and other models of Skylines from my time living in Dallas.&nbsp; They were fairly common at the meets. &nbsp; Common enough that I saw them on the road a lot and even got a thumbs up from a older Skyline GTS-T that passed me one night while I was driving my old Eagle Talon TSi/AWD.&nbsp; Hell, I taught one GT-R owner how to launch his car, because before then he had never owned anything that was AWD, and wasn't quite sure how to go about it.<br /><br />On a side note, he had bought his car from Motorex when they were importing the cars into the States.&nbsp; Unfortunately, they weren't imported legally and a lot of them would up being impounded and crushed.&nbsp; Hope his wasn't one of them. <br /><br />So, yeah, I've seen a few GT-R's in my day.&nbsp; I wasn't quite fanboying about it, but I thought that it was pretty cool to see one around here.&nbsp; Wichita has a lot of nice cars rolling around, but I haven't really seen too much in the way of an "Import Scene", aside from a few lowered Civics, the occasional WRX and some other cars.<br /><br />&nbsp; I went back inside after retrieving my tape, and spotted about the only person in the Post Office who could have been the owner of the car.&nbsp; Turns out the car was owned by an Airman from McConnell AFB, and he was dropping off a package.&nbsp; I complimented him on his car, and we talked only for a bit.&nbsp; He said that there were 5 other Skylines in the area, which kind of surprised me again.&nbsp; I dropped off my package and had to leave, so I didn't get a chance to snap a picture of the car.<br /><br />Now that I know that there's more to the Wichita area than Farm Trucks, Mustangs, and loud lowered Hondas, I need to get out there and discover what this area has to offer.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcSWRb8Z7UD1Nekln8jwGL2__KUOPldLdCGZ_aPmLwoslAYHaONRYBNfq6yXz5AoRSKCNepLgl5o&amp;usqp=CAE" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcSWRb8Z7UD1Nekln8jwGL2__KUOPldLdCGZ_aPmLwoslAYHaONRYBNfq6yXz5AoRSKCNepLgl5o&amp;usqp=CAE" width="299" /></a></div><br /><h3><b>Go, Go, Godzilla!!</b></h3><br /><b>Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot...</b><br /><br />Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1801809121250921749.post-3665315140351730672016-08-04T04:09:00.000-05:002016-08-16T02:02:51.525-05:00Here We Go Again....<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:ApplyBreakingRules/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><h2><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style><![endif]-->Welcome To.....This?</h2><div class="MsoNormal">I know it sounds rather cliché, but “I really doubt anyone is ever going to see this” seems to be the standard line for pretty much every first post on a blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>However, I really do think that aside from my girlfriend, no one is really going to be reading this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Unless you’re interested in reading about poor decisions that lead myself into emptying my wallet, pounding my head against a wall and occasionally crying myself to sleep, then this blog might be just for you.<br /><br />BTW, thanks to my awesome girlfriend.&nbsp; She designed the look and setup the blog for me and I'm very happy with the way it turned out.&nbsp; She has a blog as well that deals with running.&nbsp; So if running voluntarily for long distances is something you enjoy, you should really check it out at:&nbsp;<a href="http://reinventingcrazybeautiful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reinventing Crazy Beautiful</a> &nbsp; <br /><br /><h2>So What's With The Name?</h2>&nbsp; It's a play on the fact that some older Japanese cars are referred to as "J-Tin" and some Domestic Vehicles, are referred to as&nbsp; "American Steel" or "Detroit Steel" by different people.&nbsp; While I have a preference for Japanese vehicles, especially for RWD&nbsp; or AWD Turbocharged models, I do like and respect Domestic vehicles as well.&nbsp; So, I combined the name.<br /><br />Besides, all the <b>"good"</b> names were taken.</div><h2 class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</h2><h2 class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;So Why Do A Blog Then? </h2><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">All the cool kids are shooting videos on YouTube, searching for Internet Glory.&nbsp; I’m too ugly for YouTube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><br /><br />For real, like hideous and stuff.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Honestly, I just wanted a place to document my car hobby without too much effort. Also I occasionally do enjoy writing sometimes, but it’s one of those things where if I have to deliver on a set schedule it’s not fun anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Besides anytime I get on camera I have a tendency to say “umm” a lot.<br /><br />No one wants to see that.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><h2 class="MsoNormal">So, What’s This All About?</h2><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s going to be all about my activities with my current fleet of cars, and the associated issues with living in an apartment in a new city, being lucky enough to have a garage on site and finding time to do all this while working way too much at night at my real job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’ll also probably do write ups on cars that I’ve owned before, and my crazy ideas for cars that I would like to own, perhaps one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Mods, maintenance issues, tips and tricks to try and help out other owners with their cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Plus it’s kind of therapeutic to get all this stuff down, and on record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; Also track the progression of the cars as I continue to work on them and maybe help a few people out while being slightly entertaining.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><h2 class="MsoNormal">A “Fleet”? &nbsp; Really?</h2><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Well, it's a really small fleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Currently the lineup consists of</i>:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><h3 class="MsoNormal">2005 VW Golf TDI “The Helmet”-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&nbsp;</h3><div class="MsoNormal">My current Daily Driver and MPG Champion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I have plans for this one down the road, if only it'd stop breaking little things here and there.&nbsp; At least it runs and the ABS light stays off....most of the time.</div><h3 class="MsoNormal">1999 Mazda Miata “The Turtle”-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span></h3><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>My current fun car, and devourer of most of my time and money when the VW isn't broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I also have some plans for this, that involve driving this thing in anger on a track.&nbsp; It's fairly new to me, so I haven't decided if the name will stick.&nbsp; Coming from a quick turbocharged AWD car before, this is still taking some getting used to.&nbsp; They say it's more fun to drive a slow car fast rather than a fast car slow, so this is my foray into that realm.</div><h3 class="MsoNormal">2006 Mitsusbish Raider DuroCross “The Doorknob”-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&nbsp;</h3><div class="MsoNormal">You might be able to figure out why it's called that, but despite the crass nickname, I do love this truck. It’s my current hauler of parts and the tow vehicle of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>the broken and damned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s got a V8 too, so it likes gas stations.&nbsp; It's been with me the longest and is probably the most reliable one of the bunch.&nbsp; I really should treat it better.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>that’s pretty much it for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I plan on doing write ups on the vehicles to document where they came from and where they are currently.&nbsp; Hopefully it's slightly funny too.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />Until next time,.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><b>Alpha Mike Foxtrot…..</b></i></div>Muttskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726135411489163112noreply@blogger.com0